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. Nice post—customer service and financing options are crucial for solar providers in Davis. ##anyKeyword##

    1
  2. Great post—solar providers in Rocklin should follow this kind of transparency. I’ll look at national solar companies .

    2
  3. Great content that reduces fear around alcohol detox in Charlotte—check inpatient alcohol detox center .

    3
  4. Helpful for Antioch homeowners planning their solar timeline. See: commercial solar energy consultation

    4
  5. Great explanation of net billing and billing credits for solar in Grass Valley. Check this too: solar energy consultation near me

    5
  6. Very well written and practical. Choosing a cosmetic dentist in New York can be easier with resources like this. cosmetic dentistry manhattan

    6
  7. Very well written and practical. Choosing a cosmetic dentist in New York can be easier with resources like this. ##anyKeyword##

    7
  8. Great tips on evaluating roof suitability and system layout for Sacramento homes. commercial solar companies

    8
  9. Thanks for helping Lodi homeowners ask the right questions to solar providers. OEM solar panel providers

    9
  10. Great tips on evaluating roof suitability and system layout for Sacramento homes. ##anyKeyword##

    10
  11. Thanks for helping Lodi homeowners ask the right questions to solar providers. ##anyKeyword##

    11
  12. Empeoramiento de enfermedades respiratorias crónicas — prevencion moho paredes

    12
  13. Empeoramiento de enfermedades respiratorias crónicas — ##anyKeyword##

    13
  14. пинап казино пинап казино официальный сайт предлагает уникальные игры на деньги что заинтересовывает множество геймеров. Здесь можно развлекаться и проверить свою удачу играя на интересные автоматы.

    14
  15. феникс казино феникс казино рабочее зеркало на сегодня предлагает захватывающие игры и уникальные бонусы. Слоты дарят адреналин игрокам. Каждый любитель азартных игр найдет его по вкусу. Присоединяйтесь и радуйтесь уже сегодня

    15
  16. кент казино кент казино дарит уникальные шансы для поклонников азартных игр. Здесь игроки могут наслаждаться разнообразием развлечений и атмосферы. Кент казино получил признание своим удобством и профессиональным обслуживанием. Каждый клиент найдет здесь нечто что придаст азарт и радость.

    16
  17. Deterioro de colchones y almohadas — quitar moho por humedad Barcelona

    17
  18. Deterioro de colchones y almohadas — ##anyKeyword##

    18
  19. Hey, you used to write great, but the last several posts have been kinda boringK I miss your great writings. Past few posts are just a little out of track! come on!

    19
  20. Great explanation of solar provider selection in Pleasanton. More info: solar panel installers

    20
  21. Great explanation of solar provider selection in Pleasanton. More info: ##anyKeyword##

    21
  22. Hi there friends, how is everything, and what you wish for to say on the topic of this paragraph, in my view its
    genuinely remarkable in support of me.

    22
  23. 모임의 격을 한층 높여주는 고급 테이블 웨어와 프리미엄 주류 구성을 자랑하는 강남 타이밍에서 특별한 밤을 완성해 보세요.

    23
  24. Thanks for explaining how to evaluate solar quotes. When I compared options, affordable solar providers made it easy.

    24
  25. Thanks for explaining how to evaluate solar quotes. When I compared options, ##anyKeyword## made it easy.

    25
  26. Great write-up! I’m planning a solar install in Tracy and starting with Tracy solar company .

    26
  27. Great write-up! I’m planning a solar install in Tracy and starting with ##anyKeyword##.

    27
  28. Decoloración de las superficies — presupuesto quitar moho Barcelona

    28
  29. Decoloración de las superficies — ##anyKeyword##

    29
  30. This is timely advice. For solar providers in Chico and surrounding areas, visit solar company reviews Chico .

    30
  31. Thanks for making the detox conversation easier to start. Local Albuquerque info at inpatient detox for alcohol

    31
  32. Thanks for making the detox conversation easier to start. Local Albuquerque info at ##anyKeyword##

    32
  33. I’ve read several just right stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much attempt you place to create any such fantastic informative website.

    33
  34. Thanks for covering the essentials for solar providers in Fairfield. This is making my decision easier— local solar panel providers Fairfield .

    34
  35. Thanks for covering the essentials for solar providers in Fairfield. This is making my decision easier—##anyKeyword##.

    35
  36. Looking for reliable solar providers in Yuba City—this looks promising. Check out best solar power providers for options and pricing.

    36
  37. Looking for reliable solar providers in Yuba City—this looks promising. Check out ##anyKeyword## for options and pricing.

    37
  38. Hi, i feel that i saw you visited my weblog so i got here to return the want?.I’m trying to to
    find issues to improve my web site!I assume its adequate
    to use some of your concepts!!

    38
  39. Thanks for sharing a clear path forward for alcohol detox in Palm Beach Gardens. More resources: alcohol detox services

    39
  40. The self-compassion angle is so important— medical alcohol treatment covers gentle self-talk during detox.

    40
  41. Thanks for sharing a clear path forward for alcohol detox in Palm Beach Gardens. More resources: ##anyKeyword##

    41
  42. The self-compassion angle is so important—##anyKeyword## covers gentle self-talk during detox.

    42
  43. Great overview of what to expect from solar providers in Stockton. More details at affordable solar panel providers .

    43
  44. Great overview of what to expect from solar providers in Stockton. More details at ##anyKeyword##.

    44
  45. Posible contaminación de juguetes y objetos infantiles — quitar moho

    45
  46. Posible contaminación de juguetes y objetos infantiles — ##anyKeyword##

    46
  47. Аварийный комиссар Хабаровск Аварком Хабаровск телефон

    47
  48. Thanks for covering the timeline expectations with solar providers in Davis. renewable energy companies

    48
  49. Thanks for covering the timeline expectations with solar providers in Davis. ##anyKeyword##

    49
  50. Great tips for understanding ROI. For solar providers in Antioch, see: commercial solar providers

    50


Leave a Reply