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. The phase on early resolution-making helped me explain priorities. ##anyKeyword##

    1
  2. Thanks for the thorough analysis. Find more at taller de aluminio A Coruña .

    2
  3. I enjoyed this post. For additional info, visit https://maps.app.goo.gl/BEQFqKm6LpZ2yR1c9 .

    3
  4. Regular chiropractic visits support my immune system and overall health. Chiropractor Tacoma

    4
  5. This was very beneficial. For more, visit proyectos 3D cocina Granada .

    5
  6. Informative and well-written—solar providers in Fairfield can be overwhelming. This helps a lot. Find more at Fairfield, CA Solar energy consultation .

    6
  7. This is very insightful. Check out SERVPRO Clatsop County water damage for more.

    7
  8. Informative and well-written—solar providers in Fairfield can be overwhelming. This helps a lot. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    8
  9. This is very insightful. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    9
  10. Wonderful tips! Find more at bajar de peso Saltillo .

    11
  11. Wonderful tips! Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    12
  12. They always put my needs first and made sure I understood my options. Truly client-focused service. Kennewick car accident lawyer

    13
  13. They always put my needs first and made sure I understood my options. Truly client-focused service.

    14
  14. I appreciated this post. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    16
  15. Julia Hill says:

    Ενδιαφέρουσα ανάλυση. Αν κάποιος χρειάζεται πρακτική υποστήριξη σε επαγγελματικές Μεταφράσεις, προτείνω ανεπιφύλακτα να ρίξει μια ματιά στο Alpha Ermis .

    17
  16. You made a great point about safety features in memory care homes, such as secured exits and wander management, which aren’t always standard in assisted living. That was a deciding factor for our family assisted living mckinney tx

    18
  17. You made a great point about safety features in memory care homes, such as secured exits and wander management, which aren’t always standard in assisted living. That was a deciding factor for our family

    19
  18. Your focus on quality of life, not just medical care, really resonates. I found similar guidance on assisted living in albuquerque nm stressing that the “right” setting is the one that supports both health and happiness.

    20
  19. Your focus on quality of life, not just medical care, really resonates. I found similar guidance on ##anyKeyword## stressing that the “right” setting is the one that supports both health and happiness.

    21
  20. Nice post. I used to be checking continuously this weblog and I am inspired!
    Very useful info specifically the final section 🙂 I maintain such information a lot.
    I was seeking this particular information for a long time.

    Thank you and best of luck.

    22
  21. This post gave me a practical roadmap for finding the right memory care home. I’ll be using it step by step while I compare communities listed on assisted living near me .

    23
  22. I enjoyed this post. For additional info, visit https://maps.app.goo.gl/Gtn2jJQWZxddCJR99 .

    24
  23. This post gave me a practical roadmap for finding the right memory care home. I’ll be using it step by step while I compare communities listed on ##anyKeyword##.

    25
  24. I enjoyed this post. For additional info, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    26
  25. Greetings I am so happy I found your blog, I really found you by error, while I was browsing on Google for something else, Anyhow I am here now and
    would just like to say thank you for a remarkable 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 added your RSS feeds, so
    when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up
    the superb job.

    27
  26. I can create one hundred property owner methods concerning plumbing maintenance and emergency prevention. plumbing contractor Vancouver M5 Plumbing Services, Inc

    28
  27. I can create one hundred property owner methods concerning plumbing maintenance and emergency prevention.

    29
  28. I like that you touched on how much personal care is available in Assisted Living versus a Nursing Home. That impacts dignity and independence. For anyone unsure which is right, memory care st george ut has helpful decision guides.

    30
  29. I like that you touched on how much personal care is available in Assisted Living versus a Nursing Home. That impacts dignity and independence. For anyone unsure which is right, ##anyKeyword## has helpful decision guides.

    31
  30. For seniors at risk of isolation, a small home makes it more likely they’ll be invited into conversation while getting assistance with meals or grooming. assisted living parker co has some thoughtful content on this.

    32
  31. For seniors at risk of isolation, a small home makes it more likely they’ll be invited into conversation while getting assistance with meals or grooming. ##anyKeyword## has some thoughtful content on this.

    33
  32. This was highly educational. For more, visit maps.app.goo.gl .

    34
  33. Shorter days used to make my pain worse, but regular chiropractic care keeps me active. Car accident chiropractor

    35
  34. This was highly educational. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    36
  35. Shorter days used to make my pain worse, but regular chiropractic care keeps me active.

    37
  36. Great write-up for Stockton residents exploring solar. I’ll follow up with solar power provider Stockton, CA .

    39
  37. Business construction projects can face challenges when scope and scheduling are not clearly defined early on. Factors like inspections, material availability, and coordination between trades often affect progress tenant improvement contractor

    40
  38. Great write-up for Stockton residents exploring solar. I’ll follow up with ##anyKeyword##.

    41
  39. Business construction projects can face challenges when scope and scheduling are not clearly defined early on. Factors like inspections, material availability, and coordination between trades often affect progress

    42
  40. Really perfect breakdown of USA jobs innovations. I recommend visiting 655.810(b)(1)(iii) for updates.

    43
  41. Really perfect breakdown of USA jobs innovations. I recommend visiting ##anyKeyword## for updates.

    44
  42. Психология Самооценка

    45
  43. Isabel Cook says:

    This was quite enlightening. Check out SEO Divramis experts for more.

    46
  44. The biggest benefit I’ve noticed with small dementia care homes is consistency. Fewer staff changes and a stable routine seem to help with orientation. Families can explore this type of care starting with resources like assisted living facilities in san antonio .

    47
  45. The biggest benefit I’ve noticed with small dementia care homes is consistency. Fewer staff changes and a stable routine seem to help with orientation. Families can explore this type of care starting with resources like ##anyKeyword##.

    48
  46. The advice to check for 24/7 nursing or on-call medical support is essential. I’m going back to the listings on memory care mckinney tx to confirm which communities provide that level of care.

    49
  47. The comparison factors you mentioned will save time for Sacramento homeowners. California solar incentives

    50


Leave a Reply