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. What should parents ask when researching Children’s Dentistry Aurora for a first visit?
    This Children’s Dentistry Aurora overview makes appointment planning easier to understand

    1
  2. This was very well put together. Discover more at window frame repair Feltham .

    2
  3. What questions should someone bring to a first Tummy Tuck consultation?
    This Tummy Tuck overview makes the terminology easier to understand.
    I appreciate Tummy Tuck resources that discuss expectations without making promises Tummy Tuck

    3
  4. Ayuda a generar una mejor primera impresión visual con opiniones medicina estética facial .

    4
  5. This is quite enlightening. Check out local Brentford glaziers for more.

    5
  6. Very completely happy with the recommended emergency provider presented by locksmith 24 in Orlando.

    6
  7. Very completely happy with the recommended emergency provider presented by ##anyKeyword## in Orlando.

    7
  8. Enseña cómo consultar si el drenaje está indicado para tu caso concreto: centro drenaje linfático Barcelona

    8
  9. Enseña cómo consultar si el drenaje está indicado para tu caso concreto: ##anyKeyword##

    9
  10. Derrick Fowler says:

    쩜오 이용 후기 모아둔 곳 찾으면 강남 쩜오 가 좋아요.

    10
  11. Thanks for the detailed guidance. More at fast window repair ruislip .

    11
  12. Thanks for the detailed guidance. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    12
  13. Thanks for the practical tips. More at Hounslow glazier services .

    13
  14. Thanks for the practical tips. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    15
  15. Well done! Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    16
  16. Loved your approach to postpartum support. I arranged extra help via move-out maid service Sarasota .

    17
  17. I appreciated this post. Check out specialist glazier Pinner for more.

    18
  18. Loved your approach to postpartum support. I arranged extra help via ##anyKeyword##.

    19
  19. I appreciated this post. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    20
  20. What documents should an owner prepare before requesting Practice Valuation Services La Jolla?
    This overview of Practice Valuation Services La Jolla raises useful questions about the scope of an engagement Practice Valuation Services La Jolla

    21
  21. Nicely done! Find more at double glazing .

    22
  22. What documents should an owner prepare before requesting Practice Valuation Services La Jolla?
    This overview of Practice Valuation Services La Jolla raises useful questions about the scope of an engagement

    23
  23. Nicely done! Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    24
  24. What should someone bring to a first consultation with a Bus Accident Lawyer Denver?
    This Bus Accident Lawyer Denver overview raises useful questions about passenger injuries Bus Accident Lawyer Denver

    25
  25. What should someone bring to a first consultation with a Bus Accident Lawyer Denver?
    This Bus Accident Lawyer Denver overview raises useful questions about passenger injuries

    26
  26. This was a fantastic read. Check out patio company for more.

    27
  27. This was a fantastic read. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    28
  28. This was quite informative. For more, visit broken window repair hampton .

    29
  29. This was very enlightening. For more, visit same day window repair Isleworth .

    30
  30. This was quite informative. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    31
  31. This was very enlightening. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    32
  32. Only a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw great style and design.

    33
  33. Thanks for the clear breakdown. More info at hosted voip solution pricing .

    34
  34. Thanks for the clear breakdown. More info at ##anyKeyword##.

    35
  35. If you lock your self out of a auto whereas prepping an open home, locksmith responds in a timely fashion in Orlando.

    36
  36. If you lock your self out of a auto whereas prepping an open home, ##anyKeyword## responds in a timely fashion in Orlando.

    37
  37. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit safety glazing Twickenham .

    38
  38. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    39
  39. What should a new patient ask when researching Dental Fillings Plano TX?
    This Dental Fillings Plano TX overview explains the consultation process clearly.
    I appreciate Dental Fillings Plano TX resources that define unfamiliar restoration terms Dental Fillings Plano, TX

    40
  40. What should a new patient ask when researching Dental Fillings Plano TX?
    This Dental Fillings Plano TX overview explains the consultation process clearly.
    I appreciate Dental Fillings Plano TX resources that define unfamiliar restoration terms

    41
  41. Thanks for the practical tips. More at local glazier in Richmond .

    42
  42. Nicely detailed. Discover more at local Staines glaziers .

    43
  43. Thanks for the practical tips. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    44
  44. Nicely detailed. Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    45
  45. Favorece una apariencia más armónica sin excesos con especialistas medicina estética facial .

    46
  46. Thanks for the thorough analysis. More info at pool patio installation contractors .

    47
  47. Favorece una apariencia más armónica sin excesos con ##anyKeyword##.

    48
  48. Thanks for the thorough analysis. More info at ##anyKeyword##.

    49
  49. This was highly informative. Check out window glazing Feltham for more.

    50


Leave a Reply