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. Awesome article! Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    1
  2. Appreciate the detailed information. For more, visit South Lambeth glazier .

    2
  3. Thanks for the thorough analysis. Find more at window glass repair Clapham Junction .

    3
  4. This article is a good reminder that Nursing Homes often include rehabilitation services, which Assisted Living usually does not. I learned more about short-term rehab versus long-term care on senior living amarillo tx .

    4
  5. I enjoyed this article. Check out residential glazing Stockwell for more.

    5
  6. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit repair windows .

    6
  7. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    7
  8. Develop your internal inspection approach with immersion ultrasonic testing selected for the application and component characteristics. Helpful site

    8
  9. Develop your internal inspection approach with immersion ultrasonic testing selected for the application and component characteristics.

    9
  10. Appreciate the thorough analysis. For more, visit Battersea glazing services .

    10
  11. Appreciate the thorough analysis. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    11
  12. What should someone ask at a first Cosmetic Dentistry consultation?
    This Cosmetic Dentistry overview makes the different treatment choices easier to compare Cosmetic Dentistry

    12
  13. What should someone ask at a first Cosmetic Dentistry consultation?
    This Cosmetic Dentistry overview makes the different treatment choices easier to compare

    13
  14. For rapid emergency locksmith expertise in Orlando, I forever call emergency car key cutting .

    14
  15. For rapid emergency locksmith expertise in Orlando, I forever call ##anyKeyword##.

    15
  16. This was a great article. Check out parsons green glazier services for more.

    16
  17. This was a great article. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    17
  18. Wonderful tips! Find more at double glazing .

    18
  19. Wonderful tips! Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    20
  20. Arthritis Pain Management deserves a conversation about daily comfort as well as symptoms.
    Clear explanations can make discussions about joint pain easier to follow Arthritis Pain Management

    21
  21. This was a great article. Check out uPVC glazier Nine Elms for more.

    22
  22. Valuable information! Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    23
  23. This was a great article. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    24
  24. Arthritis Pain Management deserves a conversation about daily comfort as well as symptoms.
    Clear explanations can make discussions about joint pain easier to follow

    25
  25. Medical Marijuana rules can be confusing when information varies by location.
    What questions should someone bring to a first Medical Marijuana consultation?
    This Medical Marijuana overview explains unfamiliar terms clearly Medical Marijuana

    26
  26. Medical Marijuana rules can be confusing when information varies by location.
    What questions should someone bring to a first Medical Marijuana consultation?
    This Medical Marijuana overview explains unfamiliar terms clearly

    27
  27. https://retex.jpn.com/ Tìm hiểu những điểm nổi bật trong trải nghiệm người dùng

    28
  28. https://789clubxz.co.com Hành trình chinh phục thử thách và tận hưởng những khoảnh khắc giải trí kịch tính.

    29
  29. When comparing Residential Pest Control Services, a clear explanation of the inspection process is helpful.
    It makes sense to understand which pests a service actually covers.
    A detailed visit summary can make follow-up conversations easier Residential Pest Control Services

    30
  30. Seniors often prefer familiar faces supporting them with personal care. A small home makes that possible because staff turnover and rotation are usually lower. I found senior living amarillo tx while searching for exactly that type of setting.

    31
  31. Smooth coordination and powerful advocacy for my cost with insurance adjuster services near me .

    32
  32. When comparing Residential Pest Control Services, a clear explanation of the inspection process is helpful.
    It makes sense to understand which pests a service actually covers.
    A detailed visit summary can make follow-up conversations easier

    33
  33. Seniors often prefer familiar faces supporting them with personal care. A small home makes that possible because staff turnover and rotation are usually lower. I found ##anyKeyword## while searching for exactly that type of setting.

    34
  34. This helped me be aware how you can paintings with an adjuster when filing a claim. For claims adjuster near me, consult with Jacksonville BSA Claims Solutions

    35
  35. Smooth coordination and powerful advocacy for my cost with ##anyKeyword##.

    36
  36. This helped me be aware how you can paintings with an adjuster when filing a claim. For claims adjuster near me, consult with ##anyKeyword##

    37
  37. https://sunwin-vip1.uk.com/ Trải nghiệm không gian giải trí hiện đại và đa dạng

    38
  38. What makes a Pub feel welcoming on a first visit?
    A clear Pub menu helps everyone plan before heading out.
    This Pub guide raises some useful questions about atmosphere Pub

    39
  39. What makes a Pub feel welcoming on a first visit?
    A clear Pub menu helps everyone plan before heading out.
    This Pub guide raises some useful questions about atmosphere

    40
  40. This was nicely structured. Discover more at replacement double glazing South Lambeth .

    41
  41. This was nicely structured. Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    42
  42. Strengthen quality discussions with immersion ultrasonic testing that provides evidence about the components under examination. immersion ultrasonic testing calibration

    43
  43. Strengthen quality discussions with immersion ultrasonic testing that provides evidence about the components under examination.

    44
  44. https://tipclubs.us.com/ Khám phá thế giới giải trí trực tuyến đầy màu sắc

    45
  45. For emergency lockouts in Orlando, reach out to mobile car key duplication for dependable lend a hand.

    46
  46. For emergency lockouts in Orlando, reach out to ##anyKeyword## for dependable lend a hand.

    47
  47. https://manclub01.net Khám phá không gian giải trí trực tuyến sôi động với những trải nghiệm thú vị và đầy hấp dẫn.

    48
  48. Great tips! For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    50


Leave a Reply