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. I believe pets can play an important function in enhancing one’s state of mind and minimizing anxiety levels– let’s share stories about the delight they bring us via channels connected with ### anyKeyWord ###! mental health treatment

    1
  2. I was unsure about detox length; Tampa averages explained plainly on ##anyKeyword##.

    2
  3. The stigma around dependency requires to alter; all of us should have a second chance after drug detox! Assistance modification through drug detox .

    3
  4. This blog provides such valuable resources for women facing addiction issues—thank you for sharing them! women’s addiction recovery

    4
  5. Appreciate the detailed post. Find more at bespoke glazing newport pagnell .

    6
  6. new XXX clips

    7
  7. Thanks for the valuable article. More at repuestos usados online .

    8
  8. Thanks for the valuable article. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    9
  9. This was highly useful. For more, visit residential window repair olney .

    11
  10. This was highly useful. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    12
  11. Thanks for the useful suggestions. Discover more at affordable plumber Rochester .

    18
  12. Thanks for the useful suggestions. Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    19
  13. Appreciate the useful tips. For more, visit glass repair glazier Buckingham .

    21
  14. Appreciate the useful tips. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    22
  15. Ask how routine maintenance requests are submitted. Hanna Properties describes apartments in Rochester’s Park Avenue area. A Hanna Properties inquiry can identify the exact building or unit being considered. Park Avenue apartments Rochester NY

    23
  16. Separate the work a business offers from services it does not provide. Atomic Design lists Rochester among its service areas. A concise written brief gives the people reviewing the project something concrete to check. Rochester digital marketing agency

    24
  17. Ask how routine maintenance requests are submitted. Hanna Properties describes apartments in Rochester’s Park Avenue area. A Hanna Properties inquiry can identify the exact building or unit being considered.

    26
  18. Separate the work a business offers from services it does not provide. Atomic Design lists Rochester among its service areas. A concise written brief gives the people reviewing the project something concrete to check.

    27
  19. its.nathan2022 says:

    vr cum

    28
  20. I liked the focus on licensed providers. Validated Tampa facilities are on alcohol detox .

    29
  21. This was quite informative. For more, visit window glass replacement Wolverton .

    30
  22. Excelente orientación para quienes buscan apertura de puertas Barcelona; yo contraté a través de cerrajeros .

    31
  23. Mental health emergency treatment training ought to be made obligatory; we could all take advantage of understanding how to support others effectively– find training opportunities linked with mental health treatment #!

    32
  24. I liked the focus on licensed providers. Validated Tampa facilities are on ##anyKeyword##.

    33
  25. This was quite informative. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    34
  26. Mental health emergency treatment training ought to be made obligatory; we could all take advantage of understanding how to support others effectively– find training opportunities linked with ##anyKeyword## #!

    35
  27. It’s fascinating witnessing changes taking place among people committed dedicative efforts line up worths beliefs actions meant outcomes cultivate spaces favorable favorable environments foster belongingness invoke harmony peace joy infusing vigor drug detox tampa

    36
  28. Excelente orientación para quienes buscan apertura de puertas Barcelona; yo contraté a través de ##anyKeyword##.

    37
  29. It’s uplifting to read about success stories from fellow women who have triumphed over their addictions—keep sharing those stories please! women’s addiction recovery

    38
  30. It’s fascinating witnessing changes taking place among people committed dedicative efforts line up worths beliefs actions meant outcomes cultivate spaces favorable favorable environments foster belongingness invoke harmony peace joy infusing vigor

    39
  31. It’s uplifting to read about success stories from fellow women who have triumphed over their addictions—keep sharing those stories please! ##anyKeyword##

    40
  32. itstony78 says:

    pwetan

    42
  33. Чат INDI24 по городу Нижний Новгород: Чат жителей Нижний Новгород Можно перейти в чат и ознакомиться с обсуждениями.

    44
  34. Thanks for the insightful write-up. More like this at maidstone plumbing and heating .

    47
  35. Nicely done! Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    48
  36. Thanks for the insightful write-up. More like this at ##anyKeyword##.

    49
  37. https://x8a.it.com là nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến hướng đến việc mang đến không gian trải nghiệm đa dạng với giao diện hiện đại, thiết kế trực quan và khả năng tương thích linh hoạt trên nhiều thiết bị

    50


Leave a Reply