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. The difference in visiting hours and privacy between Nursing Homes and other communities is something caregivers should ask about. I found those questions on a pre-tour checklist from assisted living granbury tx very helpful.

    2
  2. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    3
  3. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit mold remediation Cartersville .

    4
  4. I appreciated this article. For more, visit mold remediation near me .

    7
  5. Appreciate the helpful advice. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    10
  6. This was highly informative. Check out https://www.empowher.com/user/4945214 for more.

    11
  7. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit https://www.hometalk.com/member/259848400/eleanor1786746 .

    13
  8. This was highly informative. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    14
  9. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    15
  10. Appreciate the great suggestions. For more, visit https://www.hometalk.com/member/260681281/jonathan1113737 .

    16
  11. Appreciate the great suggestions. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    17
  12. The rise of the national casino, national casino reviews
    scene has transformed the gaming landscape. With enhanced regulations, players now enjoy a safer environment.

    20
  13. Valuable information! Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    21
  14. I found this very interesting. For more, visit water extraction Laconia NH .

    22
  15. I found this very interesting. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    23
  16. It’s helpful that you reminded readers to verify licenses and certifications. We include those official links on memory care near me .

    24
  17. Thanks for the useful post. More like this at ##anyKeyword##.

    26
  18. Hi there colleagues, its great paragraph regarding cultureand entirely defined, keep it up all the time.

    27
  19. It’s helpful that you reminded readers to verify licenses and certifications. We include those official links on ##anyKeyword##.

    28
  20. Thanks for the clear breakdown. More info at https://www.empowher.com/user/4945245 .

    30
  21. Thanks for the clear breakdown. More info at ##anyKeyword##.

    31
  22. Families sometimes forget about transportation services. I’ll link to this from our mobility and outings section on senior care .

    33
  23. Families sometimes forget about transportation services. I’ll link to this from our mobility and outings section on ##anyKeyword##.

    34
  24. Great breakdown of telehealth optimization and data safeguard; we’re using those thoughts in our platform, assess innovative healthcare solutions innovative healthcare business solutions

    35
  25. This was a wonderful post. Check out https://www.empowher.com/user/4945274 for more.

    36
  26. Great breakdown of telehealth optimization and data safeguard; we’re using those thoughts in our platform, assess ##anyKeyword##

    37
  27. This was a wonderful post. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    38
  28. Small homes can integrate music, aroma, and tactile therapies more naturally into daily life. These non-drug approaches often help with dementia behaviors. I read about these options on respite care .

    39
  29. For seniors, privacy and dignity during personal care are crucial. Smaller homes are better at balancing close supervision with respect. senior care near me sheds light on this style of care.

    40
  30. Small homes can integrate music, aroma, and tactile therapies more naturally into daily life. These non-drug approaches often help with dementia behaviors. I read about these options on ##anyKeyword##.

    42
  31. For seniors, privacy and dignity during personal care are crucial. Smaller homes are better at balancing close supervision with respect. ##anyKeyword## sheds light on this style of care.

    43
  32. Thanks for the comprehensive read. Find more at professional roofer Gorran Haven .

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

    46
  34. Appreciate the useful tips. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    47
  35. Thanks for the thorough article. Find more at mold removal Westland MI .

    48
  36. Thanks for the thorough article. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    49


Leave a Reply