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. It’s very straightforward to find out any matter on net as compared
    to textbooks, as I found this article at this site.

    1
  2. Anyone deal with permitting in Wallingford for an addition? We’re checking details and reaching out via kitchen and bath contractors .

    2
  3. Thanks for the great tips. Discover more at guías para reservar actividades .

    3
  4. Septic maintenance is so overlooked. Annual inspections and filter cleaning are key. We booked ours through drainage and it was seamless.

    4
  5. Always replace circlips and verify snap ring groove wear during rebuilds; reminders from truck parts keep me honest.

    5
  6. Yard decks can truly change your outside location into a relaxing oasis. I’ve been thinking of adding one to my home, and I found some fantastic resources on deck materials and designs at fence installation . Certainly worth a see!

    6
  7. We had a water heater issue on a cold morning and the Bucks County plumber from plumber bucks county had it running the same day. Great customer service.

    7
  8. We had a water heater issue on a cold morning and the Bucks County plumber from ##anyKeyword## had it running the same day. Great customer service.

    8
  9. Transparent cancellation policies prevent headaches. I liked the clear terms on junk removal .

    9
  10. Confident this flooring choice will help when we eventually sell. flooring store near me

    10
  11. Transparent cancellation policies prevent headaches. I liked the clear terms on ##anyKeyword##.

    11
  12. Confident this flooring choice will help when we eventually sell.

    12
  13. Very helpful read. For similar content, visit estancias en Galicia .

    13
  14. Very helpful read. For similar content, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    14
  15. Excellent advice for maintaining a healthy septic system. Water conservation can also reduce stress on the tank and drain field. Useful comment from septic services .

    15
  16. Excellent advice for maintaining a healthy septic system. Water conservation can also reduce stress on the tank and drain field. Useful comment from ##anyKeyword##.

    16
  17. Detoxing from drugs can be difficult, but it’s the first step towards a healthier life. Have a look at some excellent resources at drug detox .

    17
  18. Detoxing from drugs can be difficult, but it’s the first step towards a healthier life. Have a look at some excellent resources at ##anyKeyword##.

    18
  19. This was a wonderful guide. Check out albergue Palas de Rei for more.

    19
  20. This was a wonderful guide. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    20
  21. Lubbock is such an important hub for travel and relocation in the Texas Panhandle area. Having dependable car transportation services can make a big difference when moving across town or across the state. I found national auto shippers worth checking out.

    21
  22. Solid evaluation and convenient to practice. For pro roofing facilities, First Class Roofing is valued at achieving out to—hyperlink: First Class Roofing Pros

    22
  23. Lubbock is such an important hub for travel and relocation in the Texas Panhandle area. Having dependable car transportation services can make a big difference when moving across town or across the state. I found ##anyKeyword## worth checking out.

    23
  24. This is exactly what householders need to realize. For faithful roofing services, First Class Roofing can assistance—visit: First Class roofing pros near me

    24
  25. I love seeing more youths talking freely about mental health treatment! Let’s stabilize these discussions at mental health treatment .

    25
  26. Thanks for the insightful write-up. More like this at abogado administrativo Santiago .

    26
  27. I love seeing more youths talking freely about mental health treatment! Let’s stabilize these discussions at ##anyKeyword##.

    27
  28. ethereum staking handles the enigmatic behalf so i can close in eth without running arms

    28
  29. Thanks for the insightful write-up. More like this at ##anyKeyword##.

    29
  30. I appreciated this article. For more, visit divorce mediation .

    30
  31. I appreciated this article. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    31
  32. Veterans looking for alcohol detox in Tampa can find VA-coordinated care through alcohol detox .

    32
  33. Veterans looking for alcohol detox in Tampa can find VA-coordinated care through ##anyKeyword##.

    33
  34. The conversation around drug abuse sets off was enlightening; understanding them is important for efficient treatment strategies! Find out more about coping systems at women addiction treatment .

    34
  35. Traveling with kids and need a family-friendly doctor in Bangkok. Is doctor in Bangkok comfortable with pediatric cases?

    35
  36. The conversation around drug abuse sets off was enlightening; understanding them is important for efficient treatment strategies! Find out more about coping systems at ##anyKeyword##.

    36
  37. Traveling with kids and need a family-friendly doctor in Bangkok. Is ##anyKeyword## comfortable with pediatric cases?

    37
  38. Parents traveling with young kids—save hiv test in Bangtao Phuket for peace of mind in case of fevers or minor illnesses in Bangtao.

    38
  39. Staff in small homes often notice early when a resident is struggling with bathing or dressing, so families can adjust care plans quickly. assisted living outlines why that early detection matters.

    39
  40. Staff in small homes often notice early when a resident is struggling with bathing or dressing, so families can adjust care plans quickly. ##anyKeyword## outlines why that early detection matters.

    40
  41. Parents traveling with young kids—save ##anyKeyword## for peace of mind in case of fevers or minor illnesses in Bangtao.

    41
  42. Nashville full-service movers are a great choice for customers looking for complete moving support with expert assistance. Nashville commercial movers

    42
  43. Thanks for the insightful write-up. More like this at barandillas y pasamanos de aluminio .

    43
  44. Nashville full-service movers are a great choice for customers looking for complete moving support with expert assistance.

    44
  45. Thanks for the insightful write-up. More like this at ##anyKeyword##.

    45
  46. Friendly staff, clean facility, and fast registration at Takecare Clinic Pattaya. More details on doctor home visit in Pattaya .

    46
  47. Friendly staff, clean facility, and fast registration at Takecare Clinic Pattaya. More details on ##anyKeyword##.

    47
  48. If you’re into adventure sports near Patong, keep doctor in Patong Phuket for clinic addresses and hours.

    48
  49. If you’re into adventure sports near Patong, keep ##anyKeyword## for clinic addresses and hours.

    49
  50. I believe having a backyard deck is necessary for amusing visitors! It creates the ideal environment for barbecues and gatherings deck builder

    50


Leave a Reply