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://thuckhuyaxembong.net/ Khám phá thế giới giải trí trực tuyến với những trải nghiệm mới mẻ

    1
  2. When I search for “european restaurant colorado springs,” I want to know which regional cuisines the menu features.
    A “european restaurant colorado springs” guide would be easier to use if it separated casual cafés from longer dining experiences

    2
  3. https://manclubz.it.com/ Đồng hành cùng người hâm mộ khám phá thế giới bóng đá quốc tế

    3
  4. When I search for “Cuban restaurant Aurora CO,” I look for a menu that explains the house specialties.
    A “Cuban restaurant Aurora CO” guide organized by lunch and dinner options would help me plan a visit Cuban restaurant Aurora CO

    4
  5. https://manclubz.net/ mang đến những nội dung giải trí kết hợp chủ đề thể thao, trong đó có bóng đá mô phỏng và các hoạt động mang tính cạnh tranh.

    5
  6. https://manclub88.vip/ Khám phá các giải đấu bóng đá hấp dẫn cùng những màn tranh tài kịch tính

    6
  7. I like that you encourage starting the search early, before a crisis. We also urge proactive planning on assisted living near me .

    7
  8. https://manclub2.net/ Khám phá những trận cầu đỉnh cao và tin tức bóng đá hấp dẫn mỗi ngày

    8
  9. I like that you encourage starting the search early, before a crisis. We also urge proactive planning on ##anyKeyword##.

    9
  10. Great job! Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    11
  11. Thanks for outlining red flags like strong odors and residents who seem withdrawn. I’ll be extra careful about these signs when I visit places I find through senior care .

    12
  12. https://vicclub.health/ Nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến hướng đến trải nghiệm tiện lợi và linh hoạt

    13
  13. This was very beneficial. For more, visit paver restoration Chesterfield MO .

    14
  14. Thanks for outlining red flags like strong odors and residents who seem withdrawn. I’ll be extra careful about these signs when I visit places I find through ##anyKeyword##.

    15
  15. This was very beneficial. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    16
  16. That Bar NYC roundup made the difference between Midtown and downtown options much clearer.
    Has anyone used a Bar NYC guide to find a quiet spot for catching up with friends?
    The map in this Bar NYC guide is more useful than a list sorted by popularity Bar NYC

    17
  17. https://vicclub.com.mx/ Cập nhật tin tức bóng đá mới nhất và khám phá những trận cầu đỉnh cao trên sân cỏ

    18
  18. That Bar NYC roundup made the difference between Midtown and downtown options much clearer.
    Has anyone used a Bar NYC guide to find a quiet spot for catching up with friends?
    The map in this Bar NYC guide is more useful than a list sorted by popularity

    19
  19. https://hitclubvn1.org/ Cập nhật tin tức thể thao, lịch thi đấu và diễn biến bóng đá nổi bật

    20
  20. When I search for “caribbean food centennial,” I want to know which islands and cooking traditions the menu represents.
    A “caribbean food centennial” guide would be easier to use if it described the house specialties caribbean food centennial

    21
  21. There’s a lot of confusion around the terms “locked unit” vs “secured neighborhood.” Your explanation helps clarify that, and we expand on terminology on senior living .

    22
  22. When I search for “caribbean food centennial,” I want to know which islands and cooking traditions the menu represents.
    A “caribbean food centennial” guide would be easier to use if it described the house specialties

    23
  23. I appreciate that many small dementia care homes involve residents in meaningful roles, like helping set up for meals. That sense of contribution is priceless. I discovered this idea through assisted living .

    24
  24. There’s a lot of confusion around the terms “locked unit” vs “secured neighborhood.” Your explanation helps clarify that, and we expand on terminology on ##anyKeyword##.

    25
  25. https://manclub2.me/ Cập nhật lịch thi đấu thể thao và những diễn biến nổi bật trên sân cỏ

    26
  26. https://b52clubsss.com/ Không gian giải trí trực tuyến hiện đại với nội dung đa dạng và phong phú

    27
  27. I appreciate that many small dementia care homes involve residents in meaningful roles, like helping set up for meals. That sense of contribution is priceless. I discovered this idea through ##anyKeyword##.

    28
  28. https://vicclub.fashion/ Khám phá không gian giải trí trực tuyến hiện đại và đa dạng

    29
  29. https://b52live.com/ Khám phá thế giới giải trí trực tuyến với những trải nghiệm độc đáo và mới mẻ

    30
  30. https://manclub-vip.us.com/ cập nhật những diễn biến nổi bật của bóng đá trong nước và quốc tế

    31
  31. https://rikvipz.icu/ Điểm đến giải trí trực tuyến với nhiều nội dung phong phú và hấp dẫn

    32
  32. I searched “Psychoeducational evaluation Denver” after a school meeting. What should I ask before booking an intake?
    The “Psychoeducational evaluation Denver” guide helped me understand what happens between testing and the feedback meeting Psychoeducational evaluation Denver

    33
  33. I searched “Psychoeducational evaluation Denver” after a school meeting. What should I ask before booking an intake?
    The “Psychoeducational evaluation Denver” guide helped me understand what happens between testing and the feedback meeting

    34
  34. https://nhatvip-pro1.com/ đồng hành cùng người hâm mộ khám phá tin tức và phân tích các trận cầu hấp dẫn

    35
  35. One big advantage of a small senior home is the calmer environment. It’s easier for staff to notice when someone needs help with walking, toileting, or eating. That’s why I’m interested in options like respite care .

    36
  36. One big advantage of a small senior home is the calmer environment. It’s easier for staff to notice when someone needs help with walking, toileting, or eating. That’s why I’m interested in options like ##anyKeyword##.

    37
  37. https://789club-pro1.com/ Khám phá những giải đấu bóng đá hàng đầu và cập nhật tin tức thể thao hấp dẫn

    38
  38. https://hitclub01.club/ Khám phá thế giới thể thao với những thông tin bóng đá hấp dẫn và mới nhất

    39
  39. В мире игр мэд казино мэд казино вход доступен множество выборов для игроков. На этой платформе можно насладиться увлечением. Игрок может попробовать для себя приятную игру. Например игровые автоматы — это легенды которые нужно использовать.

    40
  40. What should a new patient expect from a first general dentistry appointment?
    I appreciate general dentistry guides that explain examination findings in everyday language.
    A general dentistry checklist would help me organize questions before a visit general dentistry

    41
  41. It’s helpful to know that Independent Living can be a good stepping stone for seniors who want to downsize but are not ready for personal care services. I first considered that pathway after reading about it on elder care .

    42
  42. What should a new patient expect from a first general dentistry appointment?
    I appreciate general dentistry guides that explain examination findings in everyday language.
    A general dentistry checklist would help me organize questions before a visit

    43
  43. It’s helpful to know that Independent Living can be a good stepping stone for seniors who want to downsize but are not ready for personal care services. I first considered that pathway after reading about it on ##anyKeyword##.

    44
  44. https://bayclub7.com/ Không gian giải trí trực tuyến đa dạng dành cho cộng đồng người dùng

    45
  45. https://789clubsss.it.com/ mang đến không gian giải trí trực tuyến với các thể loại game bài quen thuộc như tiến lên, phỏm, mậu binh và poker.

    46
  46. https://v2manclub.id/ Cập nhật tin tức bóng đá và những sự kiện thể thao nổi bật trong ngày

    47
  47. Магазины сантехники Киров Салон Акватория Киров

    48
  48. https://manclub8.cx/ Tổng hợp kết quả thi đấu và phân tích phong độ các đội bóng hàng đầu

    49
  49. https://da88at.com/ nền tảng cá cược online uy tín, đa dạng game, nạp rút siêu tốc, ưu đãi lớn cho thành viên mới.

    50


Leave a Reply