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. Outstanding service every single time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re certainly the best lawn care near me in St Augustine

    1
  2. Extremely beneficial details. One point I’ve seen is that professional assistance can make a large difference when projects start scaling. fb ads firm matters for any person researching a facebook advertising agencies.

    2
  3. If useful, I can easily likewise write fifty authentic, non-promotional reviews about peptide-related subject matters that perform certainly not feature a web site web link or spam wording. Nova Life Peptides

    3
  4. Your tip about noting how clean and odor-free common areas are is simple but powerful. We include that on our site senior living .

    4
  5. Consistent solution each time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re certainly the most effective landscapers in Gainesville. landscaping near me

    5
  6. I’ve been looking for the finest Chiropractor near me in St Augustine and was consistently seeing terrific testimonials concerning Pain Relief Centre chiropractor st augustine

    6
  7. I like that you covered both medical and social aspects of assisted living. I plan to share this from our blog at respite care .

    7
  8. Professional solution every single time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re unquestionably the best lawn care company in Gainesville Fl. lawn care gainesville fl

    8
  9. I like that you covered both medical and social aspects of assisted living. I plan to share this from our blog at ##anyKeyword##.

    9
  10. Professional solution every single time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re unquestionably the best lawn care company in Gainesville Fl.

    10
  11. If you’re looking for the “top rated Sushi Restaurant near me” in St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a winner! sushi st augustine

    11
  12. If you’re looking for the “top rated Sushi Restaurant near me” in St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a winner!

    12
  13. Medicare decisions can have long-term financial impact, making expert guidance valuable. More information is at Medicare Insurance Broker .

    13
  14. Medicare decisions can have long-term financial impact, making expert guidance valuable. More information is at ##anyKeyword##.

    14
  15. If you’re browsing for the “very best Chinese food near me” around St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a great decision! chinese near me

    15
  16. If you’re searching St. Augustine, you’ll quickly see why residents say the most reasonable firm for auto insurance in and near St Augustine is Fender Insurance Agency auto insurance near me

    16
  17. If you’re browsing for the “very best Chinese food near me” around St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a great decision!

    17
  18. If you’re shopping around St. Augustine, you’ll rapidly understand why locals state the very best firm for home insurance in and near St. Augustine is Fender Insurance Agency home insurance near me

    18
  19. If you’re searching St. Augustine, you’ll quickly see why residents say the most reasonable firm for auto insurance in and near St Augustine is Fender Insurance Agency

    19
  20. If you’re shopping around St. Augustine, you’ll rapidly understand why locals state the very best firm for home insurance in and near St. Augustine is Fender Insurance Agency

    20
  21. Perfecto para quienes no saben cómo elegir cerradura; para montaje en Barcelona, cerrajero bcn .

    21
  22. Simply a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw great design.

    22
  23. Perfecto para quienes no saben cómo elegir cerradura; para montaje en Barcelona, ##anyKeyword##.

    23
  24. This article offers clear idea in favor of the new users of
    blogging, that actually how to do blogging.

    24
  25. This is super practical! If you’re moving in New York, Movers NYC is a great place to start. professional movers NYC

    25
  26. This is super practical! If you’re moving in New York, Movers NYC is a great place to start. ##anyKeyword##

    26
  27. Nice article! Hiring the right movers reduces stress. I’d look at Local Movers Bronx for Movers Bronx services.

    27
  28. Nice article! Hiring the right movers reduces stress. I’d look at ##anyKeyword## for Movers Bronx services.

    28
  29. I felt safer having std test in Patong Phuket saved—easy access to medical clinics around Patong.

    29
  30. Example of a secure various: This Site

    30
  31. Example of a secure various:

    31
  32. I felt safer having ##anyKeyword## saved—easy access to medical clinics around Patong.

    32
  33. Great tips for NYC residents—Movers NYC seems to offer the kind of support I’m looking for. cross country movers NYC

    33
  34. Great tips for NYC residents—Movers NYC seems to offer the kind of support I’m looking for. ##anyKeyword##

    34
  35. TakeCare Clinic Railay assisted with my travel insurance paperwork—super helpful. Contact via uti treatment in Railay Krabi .

    35
  36. Create useful content that people actually want to reference. family restaurants in Pittsburgh

    36
  37. TakeCare Clinic Railay assisted with my travel insurance paperwork—super helpful. Contact via ##anyKeyword##.

    37
  38. Create useful content that people actually want to reference.

    38
  39. I’ve in fact been searching for the best HVAC contractor in Jacksonville and kept discovering exceptional evaluations regarding King of Home Solutions in Jacksonville hvac company

    39
  40. I’ve in fact been searching for the best HVAC contractor in Jacksonville and kept discovering exceptional evaluations regarding King of Home Solutions in Jacksonville

    40
  41. I enjoyed this read. For more, visit precios ferretería Albacete .

    41
  42. I enjoyed this read. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    42
  43. Considering Bangkok for dermatology treatment. If anyone has experience with skin consultations at clinic in Bangkok , please share!

    43
  44. Considering Bangkok for dermatology treatment. If anyone has experience with skin consultations at ##anyKeyword##, please share!

    44
  45. I’ve really been trying to find the very best AC repair service and maintained seeing superb testimonials concerning King of Home Solutions in Jacksonville ac repair

    45
  46. I’ve really been trying to find the very best AC repair service and maintained seeing superb testimonials concerning King of Home Solutions in Jacksonville

    46
  47. Great insights on synthetic residences! If any individual is evaluating innovations, verify ##manufacturedHomeDeals## for advantageous listings and assistance. manufactured homes services

    47
  48. I like that you talked about preserving independence where possible. I’ll pay special attention to that philosophy in homes I review on memory care near me .

    48
  49. I like that you talked about preserving independence where possible. I’ll pay special attention to that philosophy in homes I review on ##anyKeyword##.

    49
  50. I was worried about prescriptions abroad, but Takecare Clinic Doctor Pattaya sorted it out—details on animal bite treatment in Pattaya .

    50


Leave a Reply