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. Thankfulness to my father who told me about
    this weblog, this weblog is really awesome.

    2
  2. This is a valuable overview of maintaining roller doors, especially the tips about checking damaged springs, tracks, and safety sensors before a small issue becomes an major repair garage door sensors

    5
  3. Sobre como pesquisar a exto antes do lançamento gil eanes — como comparar com outros lançamentos, o conteúdo ajuda a organizar a pesquisa sem inventar planta ou preço do Gil Eanes Exto.
    lançamento 420 Brooklin

    6
  4. Just wish to say your article is as astounding. The clearness on your publish is just excellent and i
    could assume you’re a professional on this subject. Fine together
    with your permission let me to seize your RSS feed
    to stay updated with coming near near post.
    Thanks a million and please continue the gratifying work.

    8
  5. Sobre portfólio gamaro como contexto para kansas | brooklin, a abordagem melhora a comparação. O enfoque em análise para moradia é útil para acompanhar Kansas | Brooklin sem inventar ficha técnica.
    lancamento empreendimento Gamaro

    9
  6. We combined two family cars into one Fayetteville shipment using Fayetteville vehicle shippers and saved on per-vehicle cost.

    10
  7. This was very well put together. Discover more at nail salon VA 22911 .

    12
  8. This was very well put together. Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    13
  9. Quick note for first-timers in Cary: prep your car, no personal items inside. Learned that when booking with Cary car transportation services .

    14
  10. Quick note for first-timers in Cary: prep your car, no personal items inside. Learned that when booking with ##anyKeyword##.

    15
  11. Hey there I am so glad I found your web site, I really found you by accident, while
    I was looking on Yahoo for something else, Anyways I
    am here now and would just like to say thanks for a marvelous post and a all round enjoyable
    blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at
    the minute but I have bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I
    have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the superb jo.

    16
  12. This is quite enlightening. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    18
  13. Saved as a favorite, I love your web site!

    19
  14. Very informative article. For similar content, visit renovación seguro de gastos médicos mayores .

    20
  15. Very informative article. For similar content, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    22
  16. Clearly presented. Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    23
  17. Helpful explanations of compressor problems. Needham residents, HVAC Service Near Me can inspect and repair.

    24
  18. Helpful explanations of compressor problems. Needham residents, ##anyKeyword## can inspect and repair.

    25
  19. Excellent homeowner tips. For faster results, I recommend AC Repair in Fayetteville for AC Repair in Fayetteville.

    27
  20. Excellent homeowner tips. For faster results, I recommend ##anyKeyword## for AC Repair in Fayetteville.

    28
  21. Sobre morar ou investir no brooklin antes de escolher o empreendimento — como analisar para moradia, o conteúdo ajuda a organizar a pesquisa sem inventar planta ou preço do Gil Eanes Exto.
    boutique imobiliária Póvoa Gil Eanes

    29
  22. Sobre morar ou investir no brooklin antes de escolher o empreendimento — como analisar para moradia, o conteúdo ajuda a organizar a pesquisa sem inventar planta ou preço do Gil Eanes Exto.

    30
  23. The bill of lading process was simple; Fayetteville vehicle shippers prepped me before Fayetteville pickup.

    31
  24. Classic car folks in Cary: ask for soft straps and covered trailers. Cary Hub Transport’s was attentive to those details.

    32
  25. Classic car folks in Cary: ask for soft straps and covered trailers. ##anyKeyword## was attentive to those details.

    33
  26. This was very well put together. Discover more at Restoration Solutions By Elite ratings .

    35
  27. This was very well put together. Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    36
  28. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit American Standard Restoration water damage WA .

    37
  29. Thanks , I have just been searching for info approximately this subject for ages
    and yours is the best I’ve found out till now.
    But, what about the bottom line? Are you sure concerning the supply?

    Also visit my web blog: citroen mechanics

    38
  30. Thanks for the thorough article. Find more at academic degrees made clear .

    39
  31. Thanks for the thorough article. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    40
  32. Appreciate the step-by-step troubleshooting. For reliable repairs in Lexington MA, consider AC installation in Lexington .

    42
  33. Appreciate the step-by-step troubleshooting. For reliable repairs in Lexington MA, consider ##anyKeyword##.

    43
  34. This topic is very relevant for people planning a major relocation. A trusted moving company can make a big difference. For Long distance movers Fremont information, visit Fremont commercial movers .

    44
  35. This topic is very relevant for people planning a major relocation. A trusted moving company can make a big difference. For Long distance movers Fremont information, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    45
  36. Great post for companies considering a move. Commercial moving services in Fresno can help with both small office moves and larger corporate relocations. international moving company Fresno

    46
  37. Great post for companies considering a move. Commercial moving services in Fresno can help with both small office moves and larger corporate relocations. ##anyKeyword##

    47
  38. My Fayetteville delivery needed photo inspection at night; Fayetteville auto shippers carrier brought proper lighting.

    48
  39. My Fayetteville delivery needed photo inspection at night; ##anyKeyword## carrier brought proper lighting.

    49
  40. This web site is my intake, really fantastic design and perfect subject material.

    50


Leave a Reply