Flavor Boulevard

We Asians like to talk food.
Subscribe

Fast pho at Le Cheval

September 17, 2009 By: Mai Truong Category: California - The Bay Area, noodle soup, Vietnamese

There is this McDonald’s pretty much right across the street from the old Physics building where I went to college. It made good business. College kids, tight pockets, tight schedule, empty stomach, of course. But good old days are no more. The Big M is nonexistent here, although all the above conditions still hold. The Physics building is inconveniently located in the middle of campus, which is at least 15 minutes strolling to the nearest food in any direction (on-campus diners don’t count). The shortest voyage if you’re facing south leads to the corner Durant-Bowditch. A yellow sign gently says “Le Cheval – Saigon Cuisine, Est. 1986”, with green vines, sunshine patio, and “cash only”.

Le_Cheval_BerkeleyThe place is usually packed during lunch peak. (This picture was taken at 3 pm.) There are about a dozen dishes on the counter, you pay a fix price for a combo rice plate, and make your own. I haven’t tried those, because it would take more time than to order a bowl of pho. Actually I said “noodle soup”, and the white man at the cashier politely asked, in well-toned Vietnamese, “phở bò?” :-). I paid, poured myself a glass of water, sat down with a number. Two minutes later a guy, tray in hand, zigzagged from the back kitchen through numerous chairs and conversations. My pho was ready, snuggly next to the usual bountiful plate of bean sprouts and mints. I don’t recall my double cheeseburgers coming to me faster than that, especially when there are 50 customers around. Arguably, this phở is a more heart-warming encounter. What else would you expect from a big bowl with lotsa meat?

Speediness aside, Le Cheval has something else worth coming for: phở sans broth and all that steamy business. I haven’t seen this dish anywhere else. It appears under the name “stir-fried phở” on page 3 of the menu. It has the combined quality of pad thai and jap chae. A delicate yet enduring texture. It’s phở you can eat with a fork and ease. It’s phở you can take your time handling without making it disintegrate into the sea of broth. And take time you must, for it’s a big plate.

The veggies and shrimps are just makeup on a natural beauty, and probably for the health-conscious. The noodle is already savoury by itself.

Side note: the chopsticks here might be a little too short, and I always get loaded with guilt when putting my finished bowl (with broth) into the plastic bins for dirty dishes. Fatty liquid streaming out and coating the bowls isn’t a pretty sight. On the plus size, self-service saves you on tips, and all the more reason to order pho xao if you have time.

Address: Le Petit Cheval
2600 Bancroft Way (between Bowditch St and College Ave)
Berkeley, CA 94704
510-704-8018

0 Comments to “Fast pho at Le Cheval”


  1. Love that you included advice on how weather influences roofing materials—it’s essential knowledge for anyone living in Southfield, I’ll visit %%site%% shortly!

    1
  2. ”Wishing everyone knew earlier about potential headaches caused by neglecting tanks—I surely did when working alongside ### any Keyword###! hvac Glendora

    2
  3. This was a fantastic resource. Check out roof maintenance Torrington for more.

    3
  4. Excellent guidelines on what materials work best in bathrooms; very helpful indeed! Check out ### anyKeyWord ### shower remodel Brockton

    4
  5. The staff at bikini wax Henderson really know their stuff when it comes to skincare services in Las Vegas.

    7
  6. Поисковое продвижение сайтов — это система мер ориентированных на повышение рейтинга в поисковых системах. Главная миссия поисковой оптимизации — вывести веб-ресурс на первые места поисковой выдачи по нужным словам. продвижение сайта Для этого специалисты выполняют внутренний анализ работают над текстами структурой и ссылками. В результате проект становится заметнее в поисковой выдаче собирает больше целевого трафика и наращивает продажи.

    9
  7. Appreciate the useful tips. For more, visit affordable roofer Kingsbridge .

    10
  8. Fountain shopping can be overwhelming, but ### anyKeyWord### makes it easy with their selection! pond repair Lake Forest

    11
  9. Great insights! Find more at website.

    12
  10. Really interesting discussions happening lately about affordable housing—hopefully we’ll see more solutions from our talented builders soon !# # anyKeyWord ## Los angeles home builder

    13
  11. Really interesting discussions happening lately about affordable housing—hopefully we’ll see more solutions from our talented builders soon !# # anyKeyWord ##

    14
  12. “Fantastic customer service from ### any Keyword###—definitely will use them again!” plumbing Glendora

    16
  13. “Fantastic customer service from ### any Keyword###—definitely will use them again!”

    18
  14. Appreciate the comprehensive insights. For more, visit best wordpress designer .

    19
  15. Appreciate the comprehensive insights. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    20
  16. What an amazing transformation I’ve seen since starting treatments here! Thank you,# anyKeyWord##! brazilian wax Henderson

    25
  17. What an amazing transformation I’ve seen since starting treatments here! Thank you,# anyKeyWord##!

    26
  18. onlinetilda says:

    360 porn

    27
  19. This is a great starting point for Rocklin residents thinking about going solar. See PV solar panel .

    29
  20. This is a great starting point for Rocklin residents thinking about going solar. See ##anyKeyword##.

    30
  21. smart.laura74 says:

    clown porn

    31
  22. What makes an Irish Pub feel like a neighborhood gathering place rather than just another bar?
    I like the focus on conversation here. A welcoming Irish Pub should make newcomers feel comfortable too authentic Irish pub

    33
  23. What makes an Irish Pub feel like a neighborhood gathering place rather than just another bar?
    I like the focus on conversation here. A welcoming Irish Pub should make newcomers feel comfortable too

    34
  24. Impressive protection of protection in digital well-being; we’re applying wonderful practices at innovative healthcare business solutions

    35
  25. Impressive protection of protection in digital well-being; we’re applying wonderful practices at ##anyKeyword##

    37
  26. This post is full of great advice for Southfield MI residents looking to remodel. Don’t miss out on more ideas at roofing contractor Birmingham !

    39
  27. This post is full of great advice for Southfield MI residents looking to remodel. Don’t miss out on more ideas at ##anyKeyword##!

    41
  28. Treat yourself right by visiting # # anyKeyWord # # for all your skincare needs! waxing Henderson

    42
  29. Treat yourself right by visiting # # anyKeyWord # # for all your skincare needs!

    43
  30. Thanks for the comprehensive read. Find more at residential roofer Dartmouth .

    44
  31. Thanks for the comprehensive read. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    45
  32. The details in this post are fabulous! Don’t forget to consider shower remodel Brockton for your renovation needs.

    46
  33. This is a solid guide. For solar providers in Concord, take a look at top solar companies .

    47
  34. The details in this post are fabulous! Don’t forget to consider ##anyKeyword## for your renovation needs.

    48
  35. I appreciate how many Los Angeles home builders prioritize eco-friendly materials in their construction process. Los angeles home builder

    49
  36. Great overview of how to choose solar providers in Yuba City. I’ll share solar energy company reviews with others.

    50


Leave a Reply