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. https://hitclubcom1.vip/ Cùng nhìn lại những bàn thắng đẹp mắt làm nên dấu ấn trong lòng người hâm mộ

    1
  2. Helpful and practical—especially for Antioch residents. See: solar panel companies Antioch

    2
  3. https://hitclubv.dev/ Góc nhìn chuyên sâu về phong độ và thành tích của các ngôi sao bóng đá

    3
  4. This makes it clear what separates good solar providers in Davis from the rest. trusted solar providers

    4
  5. Great reminder to ask about monitoring and maintenance. Solar providers in Rocklin: consider affordable solar panel providers .

    5
  6. Love the focus on savings—solar can be a smart move in Concord. More details are available at top-rated Concord solar companies .

    6
  7. Ambiente húmedo poco saludable — remedios quitar moho Barcelona

    8
  8. Thanks for explaining why professional support matters in alcohol detox in Charlotte—learn more at alcohol detox services .

    9
  9. Thanks for breaking down what a good solar provider should offer in Sacramento. solar energy consultation services

    10
  10. This was a wonderful guide. Check out read more for more.

    11
  11. Bifrost Wallet is a powerfuble preference for handling FLR tokens and exploring the Flare Network environment why not find out more

    12
  12. Excellent workmanship around skylights. If you’re in Glen Ellyn, IL, visit roof replacement services Glen Ellyn .

    13
  13. https://hitclubv.app/ Cập nhật tin tức thể thao và những chuyển động đáng chú ý trên sân cỏ

    14
  14. https://hitclubvipp.com/ Khám phá hành trình phát triển của các tài năng trẻ trên sân cỏ châu Âu

    15
  15. https://hitclubapp8.com/ Phân tích cuộc cạnh tranh khốc liệt giữa các đội tuyển tại đấu trường quốc tế

    16
  16. https://hitclubv.id/ Tìm hiểu những kỷ lục ấn tượng và cột mốc đáng nhớ của bóng đá quốc tế

    17
  17. https://hitclubapk.vip/ Tìm hiểu vai trò của các huấn luyện viên trong việc xây dựng đội hình vô địch

    18
  18. Pérdida de tiempo en mantenimientos repetidos — eliminar moho paredes Barcelona

    19
  19. Pérdida de tiempo en mantenimientos repetidos — ##anyKeyword##

    20
  20. https://sunwin7com.it.com/ Phân tích phong độ đội bóng và những cuộc đối đầu đáng chú ý.

    21
  21. https://sunwingame.me/ Khám phá thế giới bóng đá với những trận cầu đỉnh cao.

    22
  22. https://hitclubv.me/ Phân tích chiến thuật tấn công hiện đại của các đội bóng hàng đầu thế giới

    23
  23. https://sunwinvips.club/ Đồng hành cùng người hâm mộ qua các giải đấu bóng đá quốc tế.

    24
  24. https://789clubxoso.me/ Cập nhật tin tức bóng đá và những diễn biến thể thao hấp dẫn mỗi ngày.

    25
  25. https://sunwin7com.info/ Tổng hợp lịch thi đấu, kết quả và bảng xếp hạng bóng đá mới nhất.

    26
  26. https://hitclubcom1.vip/ Cùng nhìn lại những bàn thắng đẹp mắt làm nên dấu ấn trong lòng người hâm mộ

    28
  27. https://hitclubv.nl/ Khám phá sức hấp dẫn của những trận cầu kinh điển trong lịch sử bóng đá

    29
  28. https://hitclubv.bet/ Theo dấu những cuộc lội ngược dòng ngoạn mục tại các giải đấu lớn

    30
  29. https://hitclubv.dev/ Góc nhìn chuyên sâu về phong độ và thành tích của các ngôi sao bóng đá

    31
  30. HVAC service is about comfort, efficiency, and reliability. Hydrojetting could help homeowners maintain systems that perform well in every season.

    32
  31. HVAC service is about comfort, efficiency, and reliability. ##anyKeyword## could help homeowners maintain systems that perform well in every season.

    33
  32. Thanks for the valuable article. More at Power of Attorney Solicitors London .

    34
  33. Thanks for the valuable article. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    35
  34. Very useful tips for selecting a solar installer. Chico solar providers at best solar companies .

    36
  35. Very useful tips for selecting a solar installer. Chico solar providers at ##anyKeyword##.

    37
  36. Drain cleaning should be handled carefully because harsh chemical cleaners can sometimes damage older pipes. Rooter service

    38
  37. Drain cleaning should be handled carefully because harsh chemical cleaners can sometimes damage older pipes.

    39
  38. Thanks for covering the key considerations. Tracy residents can explore solar company options on book solar energy consultation .

    40
  39. This inspired me to plan my first week; medical withdrawal management includes a day-by-day detox planner.

    41
  40. Thanks for covering the key considerations. Tracy residents can explore solar company options on ##anyKeyword##.

    42
  41. This inspired me to plan my first week; ##anyKeyword## includes a day-by-day detox planner.

    43
  42. I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thx again

    44
  43. Helpful overview of solar providers in Fairfield. I’m sharing this—also see residential solar panels for provider details.

    45
  44. https://hitclubvipp.com/ Khám phá hành trình phát triển của các tài năng trẻ trên sân cỏ châu Âu

    46
  45. Mayor riesgo para personas inmunodeprimidas — remedios caseros quitar moho paredes

    47
  46. https://hitclubv.app/ Cập nhật tin tức thể thao và những chuyển động đáng chú ý trên sân cỏ

    48
  47. Good point about workmanship and quality assurance. Solar providers in Antioch: solar energy consultation near me

    49
  48. https://hitclubv.id/ Tìm hiểu những kỷ lục ấn tượng và cột mốc đáng nhớ của bóng đá quốc tế

    50


Leave a Reply