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://manclub-ios.com/– Khám Phá Trải Nghiệm Giải Trí Trực Tuyến Trên Thiết Bị Apple

    1
  2. Hi my loved one! I wish to say that this article is amazing, nice written and include approximately all important infos. I would like to peer extra posts like this .

    2
  3. Just wish to say your article is as astounding. The clearness in your post
    is simply cool and i could assume you are an expert on this subject.
    Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep
    updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep
    up the rewarding work.

    3
  4. https://manclub-7.com/– Khám Phá Hệ Sinh Thái Giải Trí Trực Tuyến Linh Hoạt Và Đa Dạng

    4
  5. If you value empathy in legal services, a local Comprehensive Estate Planning Attorney Near Me delivered—details at orange county estate planning attorney .

    5
  6. https://manclub-5.com/ – Không Gian Giải Trí Trực Tuyến Với Nhiều Nội Dung Đáng Khám Phá

    6
  7. Very clear and practical advice here. Backed-up drains, foul odors, and gurgling sounds are definitely signs homeowners should not ignore. plumber near me

    7
  8. Families often feel overwhelmed at the start. Articles like this, combined with our guides on assisted living near me , can really simplify the process.

    8
  9. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit bebida isotónica premium para deportistas .

    9
  10. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    10
  11. Families often feel overwhelmed at the start. Articles like this, combined with our guides on ##anyKeyword##, can really simplify the process.

    11
  12. A captained boat rental from holiday light yacht charters newport beach in Newport Beach sounds like the perfect way to host clients.

    12
  13. A captained boat rental from ##anyKeyword## in Newport Beach sounds like the perfect way to host clients.

    13
  14. A big plus with Woodland Hills general contractor is that they keep Woodland Hills job sites clean and organized, which really matters when you’re living through a remodel.

    15
  15. A big plus with ##anyKeyword## is that they keep Woodland Hills job sites clean and organized, which really matters when you’re living through a remodel.

    16
  16. Professional and thorough. Bees are finally gone! professional honey bee removal Elkridge

    17
  17. Professional and thorough. Bees are finally gone!

    18
  18. Great content material and imperative reminders. If you need legit roof inspections and repairs, First Class Roofing is a solid choice—hyperlink: Residential Melbourne First Class

    19
  19. Had a last-minute need, and they delivered. So grateful! storage unit removal dupage

    20
  20. Had a last-minute need, and they delivered. So grateful!

    21
  21. Carrier bearing misalignment often masquerades as tire balance issues—request a targeted inspection; I read that tip on truck parts .

    22
  22. Carrier bearing misalignment often masquerades as tire balance issues—request a targeted inspection; I read that tip on ##anyKeyword##.

    23
  23. Hi, its good post regarding media print, we all be familiar with media is a fantastic source of facts.

    24
  24. The tip about asking how they handle emergencies is very practical. I’m going to include that question in our downloadable list on senior living .

    25
  25. The tip about asking how they handle emergencies is very practical. I’m going to include that question in our downloadable list on ##anyKeyword##.

    26
  26. Selecting the right aggregate for base vs. drainage is critical. We relied on excavation for material specs.

    27
  27. Selecting the right aggregate for base vs. drainage is critical. We relied on ##anyKeyword## for material specs.

    28
  28. If your tap water in San Dimas suddenly starts tasting metallic or smelling weird, it might be time for a filter check. I had the same issue and scheduled a quick repair through septic pumping service san dimas and it was sorted fast.

    29
  29. An interesting discussion is worth comment. I do
    believe that you should write more about this topic, it might not be
    a taboo subject but typically people don’t speak about these subjects.
    To the next! All the best!!

    30
  30. If your tap water in San Dimas suddenly starts tasting metallic or smelling weird, it might be time for a filter check. I had the same issue and scheduled a quick repair through ##anyKeyword## and it was sorted fast.

    31
  31. The clarity you provide around expectations for rehabilitation, long-term nursing care, and palliative support is helpful. I found matching information on assisted living santa fe nm when we were considering post-hospital options for my dad.

    32
  32. I value clinics with short wait times and online booking. How’s the scheduling experience at 24 hour clinic in Bangkok ?

    33
  33. The clarity you provide around expectations for rehabilitation, long-term nursing care, and palliative support is helpful. I found matching information on ##anyKeyword## when we were considering post-hospital options for my dad.

    34
  34. I value clinics with short wait times and online booking. How’s the scheduling experience at ##anyKeyword##?

    35
  35. Good reminder to ask about staff training and turnover. I’ll add this as a key evaluation point on my site senior living .

    36
  36. Good reminder to ask about staff training and turnover. I’ll add this as a key evaluation point on my site ##anyKeyword##.

    37
  37. portable restroom rentals suggested distributing units evenly to reduce walking distances and crowding.

    38
  38. The service of the clinic is impressive, and quality care like this adds real value to the Samui community. skin rash treatment in Koh Samui

    39
  39. ##anyKeyword## suggested distributing units evenly to reduce walking distances and crowding.

    40
  40. The service of the clinic is impressive, and quality care like this adds real value to the Samui community. ##anyKeyword##

    41
  41. Heat exhaustion caught me off-guard— urgent care in Patong Phuket helped me find treatment in Patong the same day.

    42
  42. Heat exhaustion caught me off-guard—##anyKeyword## helped me find treatment in Patong the same day.

    43
  43. I appreciated how fast the consultation was at Takecare Clinic Pattaya. You can find the doctor’s schedule via suture removal in Pattaya .

    44
  44. A second opinion saved us from unnecessary excavation. Found an honest contractor on sewer cleaning .

    45
  45. I appreciated how fast the consultation was at Takecare Clinic Pattaya. You can find the doctor’s schedule via ##anyKeyword##.

    46
  46. A second opinion saved us from unnecessary excavation. Found an honest contractor on ##anyKeyword##.

    47
  47. Appreciate the detailed information. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    49
  48. Queue goal under 10 minutes? portable toilets shows the units needed to hit that wait time.

    50


Leave a Reply