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. Having a consistent team of caregivers means seniors don’t have to re-explain their needs around dressing or bathing every day. That continuity of care, mentioned by ##anyKeyword##, really matters.

    1
  2. Appreciate the useful tips. For more, visit Kensington glazing repairs .

    2
  3. This was highly educational. For more, visit adhesivos y selladores .

    3
  4. It’s reassuring to see a focus on emotional support, not just physical care. I’ll prioritize communities on senior care that highlight this in their mission.

    4
  5. This was very beneficial. For more, visit glazier .

    5
  6. I’d never heard about “meaningful engagement” as opposed to just keeping people busy. That’s now one of my criteria when comparing homes on memory care near me .

    6
  7. If you favor, I may also help with proper, non-junk mail alternatives for merchandising a tool advancement friends. pharma software company

    7
  8. I’d never heard about “meaningful engagement” as opposed to just keeping people busy. That’s now one of my criteria when comparing homes on ##anyKeyword##.

    8
  9. If you favor, I may also help with proper, non-junk mail alternatives for merchandising a tool advancement friends.

    9
  10. Great to work out CNW Foundation Repair sharing a area-situated map—native, reachable provider is a enormous plus for householders. If you’re in quest of legitimate groundwork assist, inspect out foundation repair near me and the info on their web page.

    10
  11. Great to work out CNW Foundation Repair sharing a area-situated map—native, reachable provider is a enormous plus for householders. If you’re in quest of legitimate groundwork assist, inspect out ##anyKeyword## and the info on their web page.

    11
  12. Great to work out CNW Foundation Repair sharing a region-headquartered map—local, obtainable carrier is a wide plus for homeowners. If you’re are trying to find nontoxic basis assist, look at various out foundation repair near me and the tips on their web page.

    12
  13. Great to work out CNW Foundation Repair sharing a region-headquartered map—local, obtainable carrier is a wide plus for homeowners. If you’re are trying to find nontoxic basis assist, look at various out ##anyKeyword## and the tips on their web page.

    13
  14. Experience with local and national tax rules can make a huge difference. tax help

    14
  15. Experience with local and national tax rules can make a huge difference.

    15
  16. I’m glad you mentioned asking about visiting hours and family involvement. We discuss similar issues on assisted living .

    16
  17. I’m glad you mentioned asking about visiting hours and family involvement. We discuss similar issues on ##anyKeyword##.

    17
  18. Appreciate the detailed information. For more, visit local office removals near me .

    18
  19. Appreciate the detailed information. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    19
  20. Group activities in small homes often double as gentle support for ADLs, such as helping residents set the table or fold laundry. It keeps them engaged and active. elder care shares great insights on this.

    20
  21. Home care is an excellent option for seniors with early dementia. Having a familiar environment and consistent support through senior home care can slow decline and reduce confusion.

    21
  22. The reminder to check how often doctors or nurse practitioners visit is very useful. We recommend that question on respite care .

    22
  23. This is quite enlightening. Check out Slough glazing contractors for more.

    23
  24. Te orienta sobre cómo confirmar si la técnica aplicada es realmente manual y personalizada: presupuesto masaje drenaje linfático

    24
  25. Городской Telegram-чат Пермь: Городской чат Пермь В чате можно посмотреть актуальные сообщения участников.

    25
  26. Group activities in small homes often double as gentle support for ADLs, such as helping residents set the table or fold laundry. It keeps them engaged and active. ##anyKeyword## shares great insights on this.

    26
  27. The reminder to check how often doctors or nurse practitioners visit is very useful. We recommend that question on ##anyKeyword##.

    27
  28. This is quite enlightening. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    28
  29. Te orienta sobre cómo confirmar si la técnica aplicada es realmente manual y personalizada: ##anyKeyword##

    29
  30. Home care is an excellent option for seniors with early dementia. Having a familiar environment and consistent support through ##anyKeyword## can slow decline and reduce confusion.

    30
  31. What takes place beforehand a redecorate layout is finalized is a advantageous preview. Learn at Phoenix shower remodeling contractor .

    31
  32. What takes place beforehand a redecorate layout is finalized is a advantageous preview. Learn at ##anyKeyword##.

    32
  33. For allergy-sensitive homes, HEPA is a must. Found HEPA-equipped pros on Sarasota home cleaning company .

    33
  34. For allergy-sensitive homes, HEPA is a must. Found HEPA-equipped pros on ##anyKeyword##.

    34
  35. This was quite useful. For more, visit uPVC window repair .

    35
  36. Cost is a big factor when choosing between Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Nursing Homes. I’ve noticed that senior care near me offers helpful cost comparisons that line up with the differences you’ve described here.

    36
  37. Cost is a big factor when choosing between Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Nursing Homes. I’ve noticed that ##anyKeyword## offers helpful cost comparisons that line up with the differences you’ve described here.

    37
  38. This was quite useful. For more, visit affordable glazier West Ealing .

    38
  39. This was quite useful. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    39
  40. I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?

    40
  41. My aunt felt embarrassed asking for help in a big facility, but in a small home she formed real bonds with caregivers and felt comfortable getting support with personal care. assisted living reflects these benefits well.

    41
  42. My aunt felt embarrassed asking for help in a big facility, but in a small home she formed real bonds with caregivers and felt comfortable getting support with personal care. ##anyKeyword## reflects these benefits well.

    42
  43. This is a great reminder that assisted living focuses more on physical help with daily tasks, while memory care layers in cognitive and behavioral support. We frame it similarly at senior care near me .

    43
  44. Plenty of houses round Whitchurch have flat-roofed extensions, so this is relevant. Good to know there are local roofers who specialise in EPDM. Relevant for Llandaff and Cyncoed too. Relevant for Rhiwbina and Cyncoed too.
    Roofers Cardiff

    44
  45. This is a great reminder that assisted living focuses more on physical help with daily tasks, while memory care layers in cognitive and behavioral support. We frame it similarly at ##anyKeyword##.

    45
  46. Plenty of houses round Whitchurch have flat-roofed extensions, so this is relevant. Good to know there are local roofers who specialise in EPDM. Relevant for Llandaff and Cyncoed too. Relevant for Rhiwbina and Cyncoed too.

    46
  47. Great to see CNW Foundation Repair sharing a area-founded map—neighborhood, handy provider is a giant plus for property owners. If you’re on the search for legit starting place aid, money out foundation repair near me and the facts on their website online.

    47
  48. Great to see CNW Foundation Repair sharing a area-founded map—neighborhood, handy provider is a giant plus for property owners. If you’re on the search for legit starting place aid, money out ##anyKeyword## and the facts on their website online.

    48
  49. Appreciate the thorough analysis. For more, visit off-grid land in Oklahoma.

    49
  50. Families sometimes forget about transportation services. I’ll link to this from our mobility and outings section on assisted living near me .

    50


Leave a Reply