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://da88s.to/ – Không Gian Giải Trí Trực Tuyến Linh Hoạt Với Nhiều Nội Dung Đáng Khám Phá

    1
  2. Thanks for the great explanation. Find more at http://1sch.net/user/kethansdcp .

    2
  3. https://11win1.company/– Nền Tảng Giải Trí Trực Tuyến Hướng Đến Trải Nghiệm Nhanh Gọn

    3
  4. https://pub88.co.com/– Trải Nghiệm Nền Tảng Giải Trí Trực Tuyến Đa Dạng Và Dễ Tiếp Cận

    4
  5. https://vin88.fast là nhà cái trực tuyến cung cấp hệ sinh thái cá cược đa dạng, từ thể thao, casino trực tiếp đến các trò chơi giải trí đổi thưởng

    5
  6. https://da88game.com – Điểm đến lý tưởng cho mọi tín đồ cá cược trực tuyến! Với kho tàng trò chơi đa dạng từ cá độ bóng đá kịch tính

    6
  7. https://five88.cab là nhà cái trực tuyến uy tín, được cấp phép hoạt động chính thức từ các cơ quan quản lý quốc tế.

    7
  8. https://red88click.com/– Khám Phá Không Gian Giải Trí Trực Tuyến Hiện Đại Với Nhiều Lựa Chọn

    8
  9. https://five88br.com/– Khám Phá Hệ Sinh Thái Giải Trí Trực Tuyến Linh Hoạt Và Thuận Tiện

    9
  10. https://fabet9.company/– Trải Nghiệm Không Gian Giải Trí Trực Tuyến Đa Dạng Và Hiện Đại

    10
  11. https://uk88s.mobile/– Không Gian Giải Trí Trực Tuyến Được Tối Ưu Cho Trải Nghiệm Di Động

    11
  12. I like that small communities can adapt the environment—like installing extra grab bars or rearranging furniture—to support safe daily activities. assisted living near me has been a useful guide for exploring these options.

    12
  13. Excellent post. It’s nice to see content that focuses on practical wellness solutions people can actually use in their daily lives. massage near Aurora CO

    13
  14. I like that small communities can adapt the environment—like installing extra grab bars or rearranging furniture—to support safe daily activities. ##anyKeyword## has been a useful guide for exploring these options.

    14
  15. Excellent post. It’s nice to see content that focuses on practical wellness solutions people can actually use in their daily lives.

    15
  16. The inclusions about dining options and special diets in different settings are very useful. Nutrition matters a lot as we age. I recall seeing detailed meal plan examples on senior living near me that matched the distinctions you describe.

    16
  17. The inclusions about dining options and special diets in different settings are very useful. Nutrition matters a lot as we age. I recall seeing detailed meal plan examples on ##anyKeyword## that matched the distinctions you describe.

    17
  18. The Best Prior Lake movers provide organized moving plans, safe transportation, and quality service for every customer. Office moving companies Prior Lake

    18
  19. A lot of neighbors in Woodland Hills recommend Custom home building Woodland Hills for general contracting because they’re responsive and show up when they say they will.

    19
  20. The Best Prior Lake movers provide organized moving plans, safe transportation, and quality service for every customer.

    20
  21. A lot of neighbors in Woodland Hills recommend ##anyKeyword## for general contracting because they’re responsive and show up when they say they will.

    21
  22. Useful advice for homeowners dealing with recurring drain issues. Temporary fixes rarely solve underlying pipe buildup or line damage. plumber near me

    22
  23. Useful advice for homeowners dealing with recurring drain issues. Temporary fixes rarely solve underlying pipe buildup or line damage.

    23
  24. If your filtered water in San Dimas suddenly starts leaving stains on sinks or tubs again, that’s usually a sign your system isn’t functioning properly. I scheduled a repair visit with water softener replacement & installation san dimas and they recalibrated everything.

    24
  25. If your filtered water in San Dimas suddenly starts leaving stains on sinks or tubs again, that’s usually a sign your system isn’t functioning properly. I scheduled a repair visit with ##anyKeyword## and they recalibrated everything.

    25
  26. Auto shipping can feel confusing at first, especially when comparing quotes and pickup schedules. affordable vehicle shippers is related to Lubbock vehicle shipping options.

    26
  27. Auto shipping can feel confusing at first, especially when comparing quotes and pickup schedules. ##anyKeyword## is related to Lubbock vehicle shipping options.

    27
  28. The Best Chaska movers communicated clearly throughout the process and delivered excellent service from beginning to end. Chaska international movers

    28
  29. The Best Chaska movers communicated clearly throughout the process and delivered excellent service from beginning to end.

    29
  30. Consider financing for big replacements; some companies offer it. I discovered options on septic repair .

    30
  31. Use Class 5 or similar for driveway base, then top with clean stone. Material planning by drainage .

    31
  32. Consider financing for big replacements; some companies offer it. I discovered options on ##anyKeyword##.

    32
  33. Noise at certain speeds can indicate improper phasing—ask for a phasing audit; guidance via truck parts helped me.

    33
  34. We balanced urinals and toilets using portable toilets ’s gender ratio table.

    34
  35. Use Class 5 or similar for driveway base, then top with clean stone. Material planning by ##anyKeyword##.

    35
  36. We balanced urinals and toilets using ##anyKeyword##’s gender ratio table.

    36
  37. Noise at certain speeds can indicate improper phasing—ask for a phasing audit; guidance via ##anyKeyword## helped me.

    37
  38. Real great visual appeal on this web site, I’d rate it 10 10.

    38
  39. I found this very interesting. Check out ac repair near me for more.

    39
  40. Very sensible for home owners. I’d recommend contacting First Class Roofing whenever you wish speedy, safe roofing answers—research extra: Replace Tile First Class

    40
  41. I found this very interesting. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    41
  42. Very useful information for anyone relocating within Fort Wayne. Apartment moves often require more coordination than people expect. I’d also recommend looking at local movers

    42
  43. Very useful information for anyone relocating within Fort Wayne. Apartment moves often require more coordination than people expect. I’d also recommend looking at ##anyKeyword##

    43
  44. Love all the inspiration photos of custom kitchen cabinets around LA. It’s convincing me to avoid stock options. Cabinet Refacing Los Angeles has some interesting design ideas I might use as a reference.

    44
  45. Love all the inspiration photos of custom kitchen cabinets around LA. It’s convincing me to avoid stock options. ##anyKeyword## has some interesting design ideas I might use as a reference.

    45
  46. FABET nền tảng giải trí online ổn định và tiện lợi
    https://fabet88.one/

    46
  47. For races and marathons, individual restroom details start-line surge planning for toilets.

    47
  48. For races and marathons, ##anyKeyword## details start-line surge planning for toilets.

    48
  49. Super friendly team! They made a stressful situation so easy. termite exterminator Elkridge

    49
  50. Super friendly team! They made a stressful situation so easy.

    50


Leave a Reply