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. Thanks for the helpful advice. Discover more at same day roof repairs Bodmin .

    1
  2. I appreciate the practical tips for choosing solar providers in Sacramento. More here: ##anyKeyword##

    3
  3. This was very well put together. Discover more at affordable roofing Bude .

    4
  4. Awesome article! Discover more at Callington leak repair .

    7
  5. https://sunwin-m7.us.com sở hữu hệ sinh thái giải trí trực tuyến phong phú với nhiều lựa chọn từ game bài, slot đến minigame hấp dẫn.với mức trả thưởng hấp dẫn Top đầu làng cược.

    8
  6. I like how you highlighted the value of energy-efficient door upgrades. More info at emergency door replacement .

    10
  7. Well done! Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    11
  8. I like how you highlighted the value of energy-efficient door upgrades. More info at ##anyKeyword##.

    12
  9. This is a great resource for anyone considering solar panels in Grass Valley and comparing providers. residential solar company Grass Valley

    14
  10. This is a great resource for anyone considering solar panels in Grass Valley and comparing providers. ##anyKeyword##

    15
  11. Wonderful tips! Find more at VR classe A à vendre .

    17
  12. Wonderful tips! Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    18
  13. Very informative—your points about warranties and service plans matter a lot for solar providers in Auburn. licensed solar companies

    19
  14. Very informative—your points about warranties and service plans matter a lot for solar providers in Auburn. ##anyKeyword##

    20
  15. This is a great guide for understanding your options before committing to a Smile Makeover in New York, NY. smile design NYC

    21
  16. This is a great guide for understanding your options before committing to a Smile Makeover in New York, NY. ##anyKeyword##

    22
  17. Very clear and helpful for anyone looking at solar providers in Fairfield. Great read—see licensed solar companies .

    23
  18. Very clear and helpful for anyone looking at solar providers in Fairfield. Great read—see ##anyKeyword##.

    24
  19. Helpful examples of clinician adoption challenges and recommendations. We’re tackling these at professional innovative healthcare business solutions

    25
  20. Helpful examples of clinician adoption challenges and recommendations. We’re tackling these at ##anyKeyword##

    26
  21. Loved the wooden-and-glass composition of their newest mission; Henson Architecture maintains to push considerate design. More at Henson Architecture services .

    28
  22. Loved the wooden-and-glass composition of their newest mission; Henson Architecture maintains to push considerate design. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    30
  23. Thanks for the clear breakdown. Find more at residential roofer Budleigh Salterton .

    32
  24. Thanks for the clear breakdown. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    33
  25. Thanks for the insights! If you want local solar providers in Antioch, visit solar energy consultation

    34
  26. Thanks for the insights! If you want local solar providers in Antioch, visit ##anyKeyword##

    35
  27. I found this very interesting. Check out thatched roof contractor Fowey for more.

    37
  28. I found this very interesting. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    38
  29. Thanks for the practical tips. More at shingle repair falmouth .

    39
  30. Thanks for the practical tips. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    40
  31. Appreciate the detailed post. Find more at roofer in Gorran Haven .

    41
  32. Appreciate the detailed post. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    42
  33. This was quite useful. For more, visit independent roofing contractor Hayle .

    43
  34. This was quite useful. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    44
  35. Thanks for sharing. For managed IT services in Sheffield, IT transformation consultancy has been fantastic for our team.

    45
  36. Thanks for sharing. For managed IT services in Sheffield, ##anyKeyword## has been fantastic for our team.

    46
  37. Welcome to the enticing world of national casino,
    national casino, where gamblers can enjoy a host of activities.
    Explore your skills and uncover the one-of-a-kind atmosphere that brings everyone together.

    Feel free to surf to my blog :: national-casino-play-aus.com

    47
  38. Nicely detailed. Discover more at Bay Area web designer .

    48
  39. Nicely detailed. Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    49
  40. I liked this article. For additional info, visit independent roofer Boscastle .

    50


Leave a Reply