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. justHans7627 says:

    sissy cei

    2
  2. Nice tips — for past due-evening key emergencies in Barcelona, touch locksmith bcn .

    5
  3. Ответственный подход к игре в индустрии онлайн-игр представляет собой принципиальный формат к игре который обеспечивает умеренность и спокойствие пользователя. aurora-casinos.com Эта концепция рекомендует пользователям заранее определять ясные ограничения по времени и бюджету и планировать частые паузы а также при необходимости получать помощь в случае риске избыточной игры.

    7
  4. This was a wonderful post. Check out best deck builders near me for more.

    8
  5. Valuable information! Find more at full-service ADU company .

    11
  6. happy_marcelo63 says:

    altyazı porn

    15
  7. What details should I look for when searching Chiropractor Lafayette, CO for a first visit?
    I searched Chiropractor Lafayette, CO and wondered which offices explain the intake process online Chiropractor Lafayette, CO

    17
  8. This was very beneficial. For more, visit best gutter services .

    21
  9. Hi, 789P là nền tảng chất lượng với tốc độ ổn định.

    Kho game đa dạng từ nổ hũ, nạp rút nhanh. Mình đang chơi ổn định,
    anh em đang tìm nhà cái thì nên thử nhé 789p

    24
  10. Ask the clinician to explain the limitations of a proposed service. Blue Divine describes aesthetic services and consultations in Atlanta. The appropriate clinician should address individual risks, preparation and aftercare. Atlanta medical spa

    28
  11. Informative article; for secure circular-the-clock locksmith make stronger in Barcelona, money 24 hour locksmith .

    29
  12. A program might use one product for a principal award and another for a group of recipients. Make that assignment explicit in the personalization schedule instead of relying on the message to imply which item is intended. trophy shop Atlanta

    34
  13. A program might use one product for a principal award and another for a group of recipients. Make that assignment explicit in the personalization schedule instead of relying on the message to imply which item is intended.

    35
  14. What should an estimate for Roof Replacement Succasunna, NJ include?
    How do I compare two quotes for Roof Replacement Succasunna, NJ?
    What should I ask about decking before booking Roof Replacement Succasunna Roof Replacement Succasunna, NJ

    36
  15. What details should I look for when searching Chiropractor Lafayette, CO for a first visit?
    I searched Chiropractor Lafayette, CO and wondered which offices explain the intake process online Chiropractor Lafayette, CO

    38
  16. What should an estimate for Roof Replacement Succasunna, NJ include?
    How do I compare two quotes for Roof Replacement Succasunna, NJ?
    What should I ask about decking before booking Roof Replacement Succasunna

    39
  17. What details should I look for when searching Chiropractor Lafayette, CO for a first visit?
    I searched Chiropractor Lafayette, CO and wondered which offices explain the intake process online

    40
  18. This was quite informative. For more, visit piezas segunda mano originales .

    41
  19. This was quite informative. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    42
  20. This was highly educational. For more, visit Grout Cleaning White City OR .

    44
  21. This was highly educational. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    45
  22. Thanks for the great tips. Discover more at Poway composite deck builders .

    46
  23. Thanks for the great tips. Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    48
  24. Good learn — for fast locksmith support in Barcelona, I put forward locksmith bcn .

    50


Leave a Reply