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. No matter if some one searches for his necessary thing,
    thus he/she wants to be available that in detail, thus
    that thing is maintained over here.

    1
  2. Excellent overview of what to look for in a rehab program. Drug rehab in Tinton Falls options at drug rehab tinton falls .

    2
  3. This was a great help. Check out luxury kitchen renovations in Manasquan for more.

    4
  4. Useful information for understanding levels of care and next steps. Learn more at drug rehab .

    5
  5. Great point about setting goals and tracking progress during rehab. Resources via drug rehab palm beach gardens .

    6
  6. Quem compra imóvel na planta precisa entender prazo, construtora, memorial, planta e condições comerciais.
    imobiliária perto de mim

    7
  7. Great pick for a birthday celebration. They worked our request into a whole bit that had the table laughing for a solid five minutes straight, definitely the highlight of the night. Live music bar Downtown Houston

    8
  8. Great pick for a birthday celebration. They worked our request into a whole bit that had the table laughing for a solid five minutes straight, definitely the highlight of the night.

    9
  9. I ⅼike this blog very mսch, Its a very nice berth to read and incur
    informаtion.

    my web pagе :: Best travel routes in The World

    10
  10. Every weekend i used to go to see this site, because i wish for enjoyment,
    since this this web site conations really nice funny information too.

    11
  11. bookmarked this after my first transfer. withdrawals from manta pacific take longer because of the challenge window that is expected urlhttps://rafaelvxbw686644.dailyblogzz.com/43051712/manta-bridge-vs-a-cross-chain-swap-what-changes/url

    12
  12. Honestly one of the more useful guides I’ve come across on this topic.
    interior design Greensboro

    13
  13. Honestly one of the more useful guides I’ve come across on this topic.

    14
  14. Ragazzi, si parla spesso del fatto che tanti forumini si lasciano prendere la mano quando si
    tratta di aprire un conto. Dal canto mio, sono convinto che
    il punto chiave resti impostare un budget fisso fin da subito.
    Tanti iscritti reputano che le slot paghino sempre,
    tuttavia la verità è ben diversa. Inoltre, qualora voleste,
    vi consiglio di passare da sito web perché c’è degli spunti utili.
    Non dimentichiamoci chi spende troppo, ritrovandosi a rovinarsi il passatempo.
    Come gestite il vostro bankroll, avete mai provato
    questi trucchetti o fate di testa vostra?

    15
  15. There’s a lot of noise online about this kind of thing, half of it contradictory. This felt like one of the more grounded explanations I’ve come across.
    Insurance Broker Sydney

    16
  16. There’s a lot of noise online about this kind of thing, half of it contradictory. This felt like one of the more grounded explanations I’ve come across.

    17
  17. I’ve driven past that spot on Oaklawn Ave so many times and never knew much about it.
    Car Detailing Chula Vista

    18
  18. I’ve driven past that spot on Oaklawn Ave so many times and never knew much about it.

    19
  19. Finding a good general dentist has completely changed how I approach my oral health and it’s been a game-changer.
    My general dentist catches problems early which has saved me from needing expensive procedures down the road General dentist

    20
  20. Finding a good general dentist has completely changed how I approach my oral health and it’s been a game-changer.
    My general dentist catches problems early which has saved me from needing expensive procedures down the road

    21
  21. This is such helpful info for anyone struggling with addiction in Tinton Falls. Learn more at outpatient drug rehab .

    22
  22. This is such helpful info for anyone struggling with addiction in Tinton Falls. Learn more at ##anyKeyword##.

    23
  23. This is a strong resource for finding drug rehab in albuquerque with a supportive approach. drug rehab near me .

    24
  24. This is a strong resource for finding drug rehab in albuquerque with a supportive approach. ##anyKeyword##.

    25
  25. The post’s tone feels compassionate and encouraging. That matters for drug rehab in Palm Beach Gardens— outpatient drug rehab .

    27
  26. The post’s tone feels compassionate and encouraging. That matters for drug rehab in Palm Beach Gardens—##anyKeyword##.

    28
  27. Such an encouraging read for people seeking help in Palm Beach Gardens. Here’s the link: relapse prevention

    29
  28. Such an encouraging read for people seeking help in Palm Beach Gardens. Here’s the link: ##anyKeyword##

    30
  29. Example non-promotional comment: I liked the point about seasonal tune-ups. A lot of homeowners wait until their furnace or AC stops working, but preventative maintenance is usually much less stressful and more affordable. AC installation Elgin IL

    31
  30. Example non-promotional comment: I liked the point about seasonal tune-ups. A lot of homeowners wait until their furnace or AC stops working, but preventative maintenance is usually much less stressful and more affordable.

    32
  31. Really effectual advice—Wellington Internal Medicine Group makes it more easy to perceive next steps with inner remedy. More important points at internal medicine doctors Wellington .

    33
  32. If you want clearer next steps for drug detox in Albuquerque, check out outpatient detox .

    34
  33. If you want clearer next steps for drug detox in Albuquerque, check out ##anyKeyword##.

    35
  34. This article gives solid reasons to pursue professional addiction treatment. Drug rehab in Tinton Falls info: drug rehab near me .

    37
  35. This article gives solid reasons to pursue professional addiction treatment. Drug rehab in Tinton Falls info: ##anyKeyword##.

    38
  36. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and
    in accession capital to say that I acquire in fact loved account your weblog posts.
    Anyway I will be subscribing on your augment and even I success you get admission to consistently quickly.

    Here is my web-site TIGER78 dengan informasi akses terbaru

    39
  37. Brooklin e Cidade Monções têm dinâmicas diferentes, e isso influencia bastante a escolha do imóvel.
    alugar apartamento Brooklin

    40
  38. Excellent information for choosing a trusted rehab program near Albuquerque. inpatient drug rehab .

    41
  39. Brooklin e Cidade Monções têm dinâmicas diferentes, e isso influencia bastante a escolha do imóvel.

    42
  40. Excellent information for choosing a trusted rehab program near Albuquerque. ##anyKeyword##.

    43
  41. The content is clear and supportive for anyone considering rehab. See drug rehab .

    44
  42. The content is clear and supportive for anyone considering rehab. See ##anyKeyword##.

    45
  43. This was a fantastic read. Check out water damage cleanup near me for more.

    46
  44. This was highly educational. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    48
  45. this explained up a lot for me. bridging a tiny amount first is smart before you move real size over urlhttps://lilytaiq512423.techionblog.com/42761718/when-should-you-use-a-gnosis-bridge/url

    49
  46. The focus on withdrawal symptom management is very valuable. Tinton Falls, NJ medical drug detox

    50


Leave a Reply