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. I appreciated this article. For more, visit Easy-Go short-term student insurance .

    1
  2. Esse recorte de interiores bohrer no alameda mará torna a comparação do Alameda Mará com outros projetos de Moema mais objetiva. O enfoque em análise para quem pensa em morar deixa a pesquisa mais prática.
    apartamento Smart Mará

    2
  3. Gostei da abordagem de alameda mará residence de 153 m² e 3 suítes: primeiro fatos do projeto, depois avaliação de uso e comparação. O enfoque em como ler o book e os materiais oficiais deixa a pesquisa mais prática.
    viver perto Shopping Ibirapuera

    3
  4. This is useful for anyone searching for a local plumber during an urgent situation. It helps to know what questions to ask before hiring. plumber near me

    4
  5. I like the focus on efficiency and performance improvements. Bucks County homeowners will benefit from this. hvac bucks county

    5
  6. If you’re looking for relief from back pain or just want to improve your overall well-being, I highly recommend visiting a chiropractor in Seattle. They offer personalized treatments that can make a significant difference Seattle Chiropractor

    6
  7. If you’re looking for relief from back pain or just want to improve your overall well-being, I highly recommend visiting a chiropractor in Seattle. They offer personalized treatments that can make a significant difference

    7
  8. Dễ dùng, cập nhật nhanh, và đúng tinh thần “chuẩn 24/7”, link tại ##anyKeyword##.

    9
  9. After my car accident in Kennewick, the team at Leavy Schultz Davis gave me peace of mind. Their in-house team handled everything, and I never felt alone in the process. Tri Cities Car Accident Lawyer

    10
  10. After my car accident in Kennewick, the team at Leavy Schultz Davis gave me peace of mind. Their in-house team handled everything, and I never felt alone in the process.

    11
  11. The benefits of seeing a Bonney Lake chiropractor are incredible! Highly recommend it! Car accident chiropractor

    12
  12. The benefits of seeing a Bonney Lake chiropractor are incredible! Highly recommend it! ##anyKeyword##

    13
  13. I appreciated that Leavy Schultz Davis doesn’t outsource – everything was handled in-house, which made communication faster and more reliable. Tri Cities Car Accident Lawyer

    14
  14. I appreciated that Leavy Schultz Davis doesn’t outsource – everything was handled in-house, which made communication faster and more reliable.

    15
  15. From the first phone call to the final cleanup, they were professional, prompt, and transparent. Roofing Contractor

    16
  16. From the first phone call to the final cleanup, they were professional, prompt, and transparent.

    17
  17. If you favor, I may also help with 100 actual, high-quality comment templates that add truly worth to dwelling coverage discussions and come with a ordinary placeholder like home insurance in basic terms the place the best option.

    18
  18. If you favor, I may also help with 100 actual, high-quality comment templates that add truly worth to dwelling coverage discussions and come with a ordinary placeholder like ##anyKeyword## in basic terms the place the best option.

    19
  19. Appreciate the detailed information. For more, visit https://maps.app.goo.gl/PRBjGsEmjjSNvq248 .

    20
  20. Local plumbing knowledge matters, especially with homes in the Southampton, PA area. plumber southampton pa may be a helpful resource.

    21
  21. Appreciate the detailed information. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    22
  22. Local plumbing knowledge matters, especially with homes in the Southampton, PA area. ##anyKeyword## may be a helpful resource.

    23
  23. Appreciate the thorough write-up. Find more at Pressure washing company .

    24
  24. Appreciate the thorough write-up. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    25
  25. Bảng kèo bóng đá hôm nay dễ nhìn, giúp so sánh nhanh các lựa chọn. Link website: https://martingpte750.lucialpiazzale.com/keo-cau-thu-nhan-the-goc-nhin-tu-chuyen-gia-soi-keo

    26
  26. Bảng kèo bóng đá hôm nay dễ nhìn, giúp so sánh nhanh các lựa chọn. Link website: ##anyKeyword##

    27
  27. Thanks for the valuable insights. More at מסעדה לאירועים .

    28
  28. Thanks for the valuable insights. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    29
  29. This was a great help. Check out ac repair near me for more.

    30
  30. This was a great help. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    31
  31. I recently visited a Seattle chiropractor and was amazed at how much better I feel! The personalized care and attention to my specific issues made a huge difference in my overall well-being Seattle Chiropractor

    32
  32. I agree with the point about regular plumbing inspections. Preventive maintenance is often cheaper than dealing with major repairs after damage spreads. plumber near me

    33
  33. I recently visited a Seattle chiropractor and was amazed at how much better I feel! The personalized care and attention to my specific issues made a huge difference in my overall well-being

    34
  34. I agree with the point about regular plumbing inspections. Preventive maintenance is often cheaper than dealing with major repairs after damage spreads.

    35
  35. Thanks for the practical advice—very homeowner-friendly. If you’re searching for hvac bucks county solutions, consider hvac bucks county .

    36
  36. Thanks for the practical advice—very homeowner-friendly. If you’re searching for hvac bucks county solutions, consider ##anyKeyword##.

    37
  37. Has anyone seen improvements after combining physical therapy with chiropractic care in #BonneyLake? # Chiropractor Bonney Lake

    38
  38. I can’t assist create mass weblog comments for dropping your site hyperlink, as that could aid spammy advertising. furnace installation services

    39
  39. Fantastic post! Discover more at maps.app.goo.gl .

    40
  40. Fantastic post! Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    41
  41. I can’t assist create mass weblog comments for dropping your site hyperlink, as that could aid spammy advertising.

    42
  42. Thanks for the detailed post. Find more at איחוד הלוואות למשכנתא .

    43
  43. No cookie-cutter approach here—they really tailored their strategy to my unique case. Car accident attorney Kennewick

    44
  44. Thanks for the detailed post. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    45
  45. No cookie-cutter approach here—they really tailored their strategy to my unique case.

    46
  46. Whenever I had questions, Leavy Schultz Davis was there with clear answers. I never felt ignored or confused. Car accident attorney

    47
  47. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit somospapis blog .

    48
  48. Whenever I had questions, Leavy Schultz Davis was there with clear answers. I never felt ignored or confused.

    49
  49. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    50


Leave a Reply