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. Very helpful read. For similar content, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    1
  2. I enjoyed this informative article about common plumbing problems. The reminder to address leaks promptly is particularly helpful because small issues can develop into larger repairs. That is useful advice for property owners throughout Griswold, CT Stafford CT well service

    2
  3. It’s in point of fact a nice and useful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you just shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

    3
  4. 100 outreach angles for local chambers of commerce and associations. SEO Services San Diego

    4
  5. Howard Fowler says:

    This was quite informative. More at We Are Home Buyers .

    5
  6. It’s genuinely very complicated in this busy life to listen news on Television, thus
    I simply use web for that reason, and take the latest information.

    6
  7. Excellent breakdown of leadership competencies. If anyone’s looking to turn these into actionable steps, the resources on leadership development are worth a look.

    7
  8. Thanks for sharing. The trust checklist is practical and helps avoid choosing the wrong firm. tax preparation

    8
  9. Thanks for sharing. The trust checklist is practical and helps avoid choosing the wrong firm. ##anyKeyword##

    9
  10. I appreciate the reminder about durable powers of attorney. For readers looking to take action, Trust and Estate Planning Attorney in Thousand Oaks offers practical next steps.

    10
  11. I appreciate the reminder about durable powers of attorney. For readers looking to take action, ##anyKeyword## offers practical next steps.

    11
  12. The emphasis on trust and gut feelings after doing all the research is something we agree with and mention frequently on assisted living .

    12
  13. The emphasis on trust and gut feelings after doing all the research is something we agree with and mention frequently on ##anyKeyword##.

    13
  14. I’ll be directing caregivers who visit assisted care facility to this article when they start comparing assisted living homes.

    14
  15. In our case, the move to a smaller home meant fewer hospital visits. Staff noticed health changes quickly and responded early. We chose this model after researching on respite care .

    15
  16. I’ll be directing caregivers who visit ##anyKeyword## to this article when they start comparing assisted living homes.

    16
  17. In our case, the move to a smaller home meant fewer hospital visits. Staff noticed health changes quickly and responded early. We chose this model after researching on ##anyKeyword##.

    17
  18. Thanks for sharing on HVAC contractors. The discussion about preventive maintenance is especially useful for homeowners in Port Chester, NY. I’d also like to know how seasonal inspections affect energy efficiency local HVAC contractors NY

    18
  19. Thanks for sharing on HVAC contractors. The discussion about preventive maintenance is especially useful for homeowners in Port Chester, NY. I’d also like to know how seasonal inspections affect energy efficiency

    19
  20. Personalized bathing schedules, preferred hygiene products, and familiar routines are easier to honor in a small home setting. That kind of individual attention is what drew me to elder care .

    20
  21. Personalized bathing schedules, preferred hygiene products, and familiar routines are easier to honor in a small home setting. That kind of individual attention is what drew me to ##anyKeyword##.

    21
  22. Your point about measuring behavior change rather than just satisfaction is important. I’ve used behavior tracking templates from leadership development for that reason.

    22
  23. Your point about measuring behavior change rather than just satisfaction is important. I’ve used behavior tracking templates from ##anyKeyword## for that reason.

    23
  24. Good reminder to ask about staff training and turnover. I’ll add this as a key evaluation point on my site assisted living near me .

    24
  25. Thank you for covering representation during audits. That added confidence matters when choosing a firm. accountant for self-employed

    25
  26. Thank you for covering representation during audits. That added confidence matters when choosing a firm. ##anyKeyword##

    26
  27. I appreciate that small senior homes can tailor ADL support around what the resident can still do independently. That focus on ability instead of disability is something respite care really emphasizes.

    27
  28. I liked that you mentioned spiritual support and chaplain services. We remind families to ask about those options on senior living helena mt .

    28
  29. I appreciate that small senior homes can tailor ADL support around what the resident can still do independently. That focus on ability instead of disability is something ##anyKeyword## really emphasizes.

    29
  30. I liked that you mentioned spiritual support and chaplain services. We remind families to ask about those options on ##anyKeyword##.

    30
  31. Your suggestion to consider whether the community offers both assisted living and memory care on one campus is excellent. We highlight pros and cons of that model on respite care .

    31
  32. Your suggestion to consider whether the community offers both assisted living and memory care on one campus is excellent. We highlight pros and cons of that model on ##anyKeyword##.

    32
  33. This article nailed the common DIY mistakes. If you’re unsure about trust language or trustee duties, a Estate Planning Attorney can review and fix documents before problems arise.

    33
  34. This article nailed the common DIY mistakes. If you’re unsure about trust language or trustee duties, a ##anyKeyword## can review and fix documents before problems arise.

    34
  35. Thanks for the valuable article about jewelry selection. The focus on quality and style makes the topic easier to understand. For people shopping in Mystic, CT, local knowledge can be especially useful when selecting a trusted jeweler jewelers near Stonington CT

    35
  36. Thanks for the valuable article about jewelry selection. The focus on quality and style makes the topic easier to understand. For people shopping in Mystic, CT, local knowledge can be especially useful when selecting a trusted jeweler

    36
  37. I found the discussion of reliable support particularly helpful. Businesses in Cromwell, CT can benefit from dependable systems, regular updates, and timely troubleshooting network installation companies CT

    37
  38. I found the discussion of reliable support particularly helpful. Businesses in Cromwell, CT can benefit from dependable systems, regular updates, and timely troubleshooting

    38
  39. Thanks for sharing this useful overview of transportation services. The discussion about convenient transportation options is especially relevant for people traveling around Westerly, RI reliable transportation service

    39
  40. Thanks for sharing this useful overview of transportation services. The discussion about convenient transportation options is especially relevant for people traveling around Westerly, RI

    40
  41. Thanks for sharing this helpful plumbing information. The point about regular maintenance is especially useful for homeowners. Griswold, CT can benefit from addressing small plumbing issues before they become costly repairs well pump repair Somers

    41
  42. This article nails the essentials: what you pay for and how to evaluate a provider. Check out accountant for self-employed

    42
  43. This article nails the essentials: what you pay for and how to evaluate a provider. Check out ##anyKeyword##

    43
  44. They replaced a worn-out part and the system runs quietly. https://yourlink.com

    44
  45. Safety during everyday tasks, such as showering and transferring, is a major concern. Smaller homes usually have better oversight and quicker response times. respite care helped me understand those safety advantages.

    45
  46. Safety during everyday tasks, such as showering and transferring, is a major concern. Smaller homes usually have better oversight and quicker response times. ##anyKeyword## helped me understand those safety advantages.

    46
  47. Great insights on planning ahead. If anyone’s navigating wills or probate, I found Trust and Estate Planning Lawyer helpful for trustworthy guidance on trust and estate matters.

    47
  48. Great insights on planning ahead. If anyone’s navigating wills or probate, I found ##anyKeyword## helpful for trustworthy guidance on trust and estate matters.

    48
  49. Small homes can integrate music, aroma, and tactile therapies more naturally into daily life. These non-drug approaches often help with dementia behaviors. I read about these options on respite care .

    49
  50. Families often ask what happens if dementia progresses in assisted living. Your explanation of transitions to memory care is clear. We walk through transition planning on memory care clovis nm .

    50


Leave a Reply