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. This was highly educational. More at personal injury attorneys los angeles ca .

    1
  2. Appreciate the thorough analysis. For more, visit Pacific Public Adjusters LLC Public Adjusting Services .

    2
  3. It’s worth asking how repayment terms interact with interest calculations. In Shreveport, two loans with similar APRs might differ in how interest accrues depending on lender policies installment loans new orleans

    3
  4. For anyone confused about units and pricing, some Orange County Botox offices on stem cell therapy orange county have very clear explanations in their profiles.

    4
  5. Great article for anyone researching solar providers in Stockton. I’ll look at Stockton, CA Solar energy consultation for options.

    5
  6. Esse tipo de checklist ajuda sobre itaim bibi. Vale separar preço de custo de carregamento. comprar studio Itaim Bibi

    6
  7. Οι φωτογραφίες πριν/μετά είναι εντυπωσιακές. Παρόμοιο αποτέλεσμα πήρα από τους φθηνές οικονομικές αποφράξεις στο δίκτυό μου.

    7
  8. Οι φωτογραφίες πριν/μετά είναι εντυπωσιακές. Παρόμοιο αποτέλεσμα πήρα από τους ##anyKeyword## στο δίκτυό μου.

    8
  9. Esse tipo de checklist ajuda sobre itaim bibi. Vale separar preço de custo de carregamento.

    9
  10. I needed ideas for a small half-bath in my Southfield MI home. I got several space-saving concepts from Asphalt roof installation Southfield MI .

    10
  11. I needed ideas for a small half-bath in my Southfield MI home. I got several space-saving concepts from ##anyKeyword##.

    11
  12. Helpful tips on estimating monthly savings for Sacramento utility bills. Sacramento, CA solar panel

    12
  13. Helpful tips on estimating monthly savings for Sacramento utility bills. ##anyKeyword##

    13
  14. Appreciate the detailed post. Find more at study paths guide .

    15
  15. Appreciate the detailed post. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    16
  16. This makes it easier to evaluate solar companies in Rocklin. I’ll explore Solar energy company Rocklin, CA .

    17
  17. This makes it easier to evaluate solar companies in Rocklin. I’ll explore ##anyKeyword##.

    18
  18. Thanks for the valuable insights. More at SEO Divramis experts .

    19
  19. Thanks for the valuable insights. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    20
  20. This was a fantastic read. Check out eisenberg law group pc for more.

    21
  21. Considering a deepest chef picnic on a quiet beach after a quick journey. I noticed a “hidden coves” add-on at exclusive Santorini VIP tours —is it suitable for an offer?

    22
  22. This was a fantastic read. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    23
  23. Considering a deepest chef picnic on a quiet beach after a quick journey. I noticed a “hidden coves” add-on at ##anyKeyword##—is it suitable for an offer?

    24
  24. Good suggestion here. Timely plumbing upkeep lend a hand safeguard a assets’s worth. plumbing contractor Gresham

    25
  25. Good suggestion here. Timely plumbing upkeep lend a hand safeguard a assets’s worth.

    26
  26. Great insights! Find more at cocinas pequeñas Granada .

    27
  27. Great insights! Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    28
  28. Great home-owner advice in this publish. Recognizing the caution symptoms early can stay away from a number of unnecessary pressure. plumbing contractor Vancouver

    29
  29. Great home-owner advice in this publish. Recognizing the caution symptoms early can stay away from a number of unnecessary pressure.

    30
  30. This was a great article. Check out reparación de carpintería de aluminio for more.

    31
  31. This was a great article. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    32
  32. Commercial buildings need dependable HVAC systems, and routine maintenance is key to avoiding interruptions. This post does a good job explaining why planning ahead matters. commercial hvac maintenance

    34
  33. Commercial buildings need dependable HVAC systems, and routine maintenance is key to avoiding interruptions. This post does a good job explaining why planning ahead matters. ##anyKeyword##

    35
  34. Phoenix Home Remodeling is relied on by way of many Phoenix space house owners for its established means. bathroom remodeling near me

    36
  35. Phoenix Home Remodeling is relied on by way of many Phoenix space house owners for its established means. ##anyKeyword##

    37
  36. This was very beneficial. For more, visit personal injury attorneys los angeles ca .

    38
  37. This was very beneficial. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    39
  38. Reading FAQs on Ketamine Infusion Therapy orange county helped me understand what to expect with my first Orange County Botox appointment, from numbing to aftercare.

    40
  39. Reading FAQs on ##anyKeyword## helped me understand what to expect with my first Orange County Botox appointment, from numbing to aftercare.

    41
  40. Well explained. Discover more at Foundation Repair Near Me .

    42
  41. Well explained. Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    43
  42. Управление эмоциями Личностное развитие

    44
  43. If you’re new to homeownership in Southfield MI, check out the beginner renovation guides on Asphalt roof installation Southfield MI before starting big projects.

    45
  44. If you’re new to homeownership in Southfield MI, check out the beginner renovation guides on ##anyKeyword## before starting big projects.

    46
  45. Thanks for the great content. More at nutrióloga para diabéticos .

    47
  46. Thanks for the great content. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    48
  47. Helpful tips on timelines and installation quality. Tracy residents can find solar providers on Tracy, CA solar companies tracy .

    49
  48. This was highly helpful. For more, visit opiniones seguro de gastos médicos México .

    50


Leave a Reply