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. I like that small communities can adapt the environment—like installing extra grab bars or rearranging furniture—to support safe daily activities. ##anyKeyword## has been a useful guide for exploring these options.

    1
  2. This post really highlights why “less is more” in dementia care. Smaller homes usually mean fewer transitions and less noise, which can be critical for memory care residents. I’ve learned a lot researching places such as memory care .

    2
  3. I like that you stressed the importance of evaluating current needs AND future progression of dementia. On memory care farmington nm we often recommend families think 6–12 months ahead.

    3
  4. https://x8.com.sg là nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến hướng đến việc mang đến không gian trải nghiệm đa dạng với giao diện hiện đại, thao tác nhanh chóng và khả năng tương thích linh hoạt trên nhiều thiết bị

    4
  5. Having one main caregiver who understands your loved one’s daily habits is priceless. That’s a big advantage of smaller senior homes, and it’s clearly something senior living advocates.

    5
  6. Loved that you encouraged multiple visits with different family members. I’ll reference this idea in my planning articles on senior living .

    6
  7. https://x8vip.br.com là nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến hướng đến việc xây dựng môi trường trải nghiệm năng động với thiết kế giao diện thân thiện, bố cục rõ ràng và thao tác sử dụng đơn giản

    7
  8. https://hitclub6.jpn.com là nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến hướng đến việc cung cấp không gian trải nghiệm hiện đại với giao diện trực quan, hệ thống điều hướng dễ sử dụng và khả năng tương thích trên nhiều thiết bị

    8
  9. Loved that you encouraged multiple visits with different family members. I’ll reference this idea in my planning articles on ##anyKeyword##.

    9
  10. The check on whether they can coordinate outside services (like therapy) is so helpful. We call that out in our guides on elder care .

    10
  11. https://rikvip5.jp.net là nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến được định hướng phát triển với không gian trải nghiệm phong phú, giao diện trực quan và khả năng truy cập thuận tiện trên nhiều thiết bị

    11
  12. The check on whether they can coordinate outside services (like therapy) is so helpful. We call that out in our guides on ##anyKeyword##.

    12
  13. This is highly informative. Check out Holland Park UPVC window repair for more.

    13
  14. Appreciate the thorough insights. For more, visit glazing repair West Ealing .

    14
  15. Great to determine CNW Foundation Repair sharing a place-founded map—neighborhood, reachable carrier is a sizable plus for property owners foundation repair near me

    15
  16. This is highly informative. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    16
  17. Appreciate the thorough insights. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    17
  18. Great to determine CNW Foundation Repair sharing a place-founded map—neighborhood, reachable carrier is a sizable plus for property owners

    18
  19. Strong checklist for selecting a firm—licenses, experience, and clear expectations matter. Shareable content at tax accountant

    19
  20. Strong checklist for selecting a firm—licenses, experience, and clear expectations matter. Shareable content at ##anyKeyword##

    20
  21. A dedicated caregiver can notice small changes in health before they become big problems. That’s one of the hidden benefits of consistent home visits through home care .

    21
  22. A dedicated caregiver can notice small changes in health before they become big problems. That’s one of the hidden benefits of consistent home visits through ##anyKeyword##.

    22
  23. Te orienta para preguntar qué cuidados seguir después del drenaje linfático manual: donde hacer drenaje linfático Barcelona

    23
  24. Thanks for the detailed post. Find more at architectural glazing Shepherds Bush .

    24
  25. This was a fantastic resource. Check out hammersmith double glazing company for more.

    25
  26. I enjoyed this article. Check out same day glazier ealing for more.

    26
  27. Great journey with emergency car key duplication for emergency lock restoration in Orlando.

    27
  28. Te orienta para preguntar qué cuidados seguir después del drenaje linfático manual: ##anyKeyword##

    28
  29. Thanks for the detailed post. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    29
  30. This was a fantastic resource. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    30
  31. I enjoyed this article. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    31
  32. Great journey with ##anyKeyword## for emergency lock restoration in Orlando.

    32
  33. Thông tin liên hệ:

    Thương hiệu: NHATVIP

    Website: https://nhatvip-pro2.com

    Email: contact@nhatvip-pro2

    33
  34. Thanks for the helpful article. More like this at glazing installers Notting Hill .

    34
  35. I enjoyed this post. For additional info, visit cocinas modernas Granada .

    35
  36. Thanks for the helpful article. More like this at ##anyKeyword##.

    36
  37. I enjoyed this post. For additional info, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    37
  38. Thanks for the thorough article. Find more at affordable double glazing Maida Vale .

    38
  39. Thanks for the thorough article. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    39
  40. I enjoyed this read. For more, visit trusted double glazing hanwell .

    40
  41. I enjoyed this read. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    41
  42. Если интересует городской чат Краснодар: Чат жителей Краснодар Присоединение к группе зависит от её текущих настроек.

    42
  43. Always ask about supplies included. I compare what’s provided on move-out maid service Sarasota .

    43
  44. The suggestion to talk directly with current resident families is great. I’ll use assisted living to shortlist communities, then reach out to families for honest feedback.

    44
  45. Always ask about supplies included. I compare what’s provided on ##anyKeyword##.

    45
  46. I appreciate that small senior homes can tailor ADL support around what the resident can still do independently. That focus on ability instead of disability is something senior living really emphasizes.

    46
  47. The structure of small homes helps keep a consistent routine, which is especially good for seniors who need cues for when to eat, bathe, or rest. respite care explains how routine supports healthy aging.

    47
  48. The suggestion to talk directly with current resident families is great. I’ll use ##anyKeyword## to shortlist communities, then reach out to families for honest feedback.

    48
  49. This was highly educational. More at affordable window repair Acton .

    49
  50. The explanation about who pays for what—private pay, long-term care insurance, or government programs—across Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Nursing Homes is very important. I found similar financial breakdowns on respite care .

    50


Leave a Reply