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. This was highly educational. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    1
  2. 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. ##anyKeyword## explains how routine supports healthy aging.

    2
  3. Our domicile now has more desirable calories potency after their enhancements. interior remodeling contractor near me

    3
  4. The emphasis on trust and gut feelings after doing all the research is something we agree with and mention frequently on senior living .

    4
  5. 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 ##anyKeyword##.

    5
  6. 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 ##anyKeyword## really emphasizes.

    6
  7. The clarity you provide around expectations for rehabilitation, long-term nursing care, and palliative support is helpful. I found matching information on senior living when we were considering post-hospital options for my dad.

    7
  8. The clarity you provide around expectations for rehabilitation, long-term nursing care, and palliative support is helpful. I found matching information on ##anyKeyword## when we were considering post-hospital options for my dad.

    8
  9. Great reminder to ask about the process and who will actually do the work. Learn more at small business accountant

    9
  10. Great reminder to ask about the process and who will actually do the work. Learn more at ##anyKeyword##

    10
  11. Searching for good ##FoundationRepairOmaha##? Great to see this matter blanketed—basis concerns can enhance speedy, so timely inspections and skilled fix make a big change for long-term stability and peace of thoughts. foundation repair near me

    11
  12. Searching for good ##FoundationRepairOmaha##? Great to see this matter blanketed—basis concerns can enhance speedy, so timely inspections and skilled fix make a big change for long-term stability and peace of thoughts.

    12
  13. A major advantage of home care is personalized attention. Unlike busy facilities, caregivers from home care can focus on one person at a time.

    13
  14. This was very beneficial. For more, visit commercial glazing Ladbroke Grove .

    14
  15. This was very beneficial. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    15
  16. A major advantage of home care is personalized attention. Unlike busy facilities, caregivers from ##anyKeyword## can focus on one person at a time.

    16
  17. I enjoyed this post. For additional info, visit glazier services Chiswick .

    17
  18. I enjoyed this post. For additional info, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    18
  19. Absolutely written articles, thankyou for entropy.

    19
  20. This was quite informative. More at Holland Park glazier services .

    20
  21. This was quite informative. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    21
  22. This was highly educational. For more, visit opiniones de nutrióloga Saltillo .

    22
  23. Thanks for the detailed guidance. More at mobile glazier West Ealing .

    23
  24. This was highly educational. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    24
  25. Thanks for the detailed guidance. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    25
  26. Great to peer CNW Foundation Repair sharing a vicinity-headquartered map—local, out there carrier is a wide plus for homeowners foundation repair near me

    26
  27. This was quite informative. More at precios cuidadores Santiago .

    27
  28. Great to peer CNW Foundation Repair sharing a vicinity-headquartered map—local, out there carrier is a wide plus for homeowners

    28
  29. Te ayuda a entender qué formación debe tener el profesional antes de reservar una sesión de drenaje linfático manual en Barcelona: Les Corts drenaje linfático

    29
  30. Te ayuda a entender qué formación debe tener el profesional antes de reservar una sesión de drenaje linfático manual en Barcelona: ##anyKeyword##

    30
  31. This was quite informative. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    31
  32. Appreciate the detailed information. For more, visit same day window repair Shepherds Bush .

    32
  33. Thanks for the informative content. More at commercial glazier services hammersmith .

    33
  34. Appreciate the detailed information. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    34
  35. Thanks for the informative content. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    35
  36. This was highly useful. For more, visit pensiones en Arzúa .

    36
  37. Información práctica y clara. Para aperturas 24 horas en Barcelona, confío en barcelona cerrajeros .

    37
  38. Love that you mentioned involving the senior in the decision. We talk about family communication strategies a lot on assisted living near me .

    38
  39. Información práctica y clara. Para aperturas 24 horas en Barcelona, confío en ##anyKeyword##.

    39
  40. I found this very interesting. Check out commercial window repair Kensington for more.

    40
  41. This was highly useful. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    41
  42. Love that you mentioned involving the senior in the decision. We talk about family communication strategies a lot on ##anyKeyword##.

    42
  43. Because staff know residents so well, they can often anticipate when someone will need help with toileting or mobility, preventing accidents. assisted living granbury tx does a good job explaining this proactive care.

    43
  44. I found this very interesting. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    44
  45. Because staff know residents so well, they can often anticipate when someone will need help with toileting or mobility, preventing accidents. ##anyKeyword## does a good job explaining this proactive care.

    45
  46. Understanding the level of medical care in Nursing Homes versus Assisted Living is crucial. Many families seem to confuse the two. I’ve been reading more on places like senior care near me to make sure we choose the right setting for my dad.

    46
  47. Della Hawkins says:

    Thanks for the helpful advice. Discover more at commercial glazier Notting Hill .

    47
  48. Understanding the level of medical care in Nursing Homes versus Assisted Living is crucial. Many families seem to confuse the two. I’ve been reading more on places like ##anyKeyword## to make sure we choose the right setting for my dad.

    48
  49. These points about tax planning, filing, and representation really help. Thanks for explaining how to choose a trustworthy firm like at tax help

    49
  50. These points about tax planning, filing, and representation really help. Thanks for explaining how to choose a trustworthy firm like at ##anyKeyword##

    50


Leave a Reply