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. I found the discussion of risk factors especially useful. Smoking, diabetes, and poor oral hygiene definitely increase the chance of developing gum problems. Gum Disease Treatment

    1
  2. I found this very interesting. For more, visit google.com .

    2
  3. If your tap water in San Dimas suddenly starts tasting metallic or smelling weird, it might be time for a filter check. I had the same issue and scheduled a quick repair through water filtration replacement & installation san dimas and it was sorted fast.

    3
  4. Reliable septic services can help keep a household system working properly.
    This overview of septic services was clear and practical.
    I’m researching septic services before scheduling routine maintenance septic services

    4
  5. Appreciate the detailed information. For more, visit aluminium bifold doors .

    5
  6. Μπράβο για τις οδηγίες ασφαλείας. Απέφυγα τα καυστικά και οι ειδική προσφορά αποφράξεων έκαναν επαγγελματική απόφραξη.

    6
  7. Μπράβο για τις οδηγίες ασφαλείας. Απέφυγα τα καυστικά και οι ##anyKeyword## έκαναν επαγγελματική απόφραξη.

    7
  8. Clean porta potties, easy rental process, and professional staff. https://yourwebsite.com

    8
  9. I had a great experience with a brightening facial in Vegas that I only discovered because of Skincare Services Las Vegas .

    9
  10. I had a great experience with a brightening facial in Vegas that I only discovered because of ##anyKeyword##.

    11
  11. Budget-wise, refacing is looking way more realistic. I’m in Los Angeles and got some initial info from Cabinet Refacing Los Angeles —seems promising.

    12
  12. The idea of a private boat in Newport Beach with a captain sounds amazing— Multi-Day Yacht Charters Newport Beach has some great listings.

    13
  13. Budget-wise, refacing is looking way more realistic. I’m in Los Angeles and got some initial info from ##anyKeyword##—seems promising.

    14
  14. The idea of a private boat in Newport Beach with a captain sounds amazing—##anyKeyword## has some great listings.

    15
  15. Em plano de saúde rj, separar operadora, produto e modalidade evita muita confusão. O recorte de como comparar duas propostas deixa a decisão mais prática.
    cobertura popular RJ

    16
  16. Em plano de saúde rj, separar operadora, produto e modalidade evita muita confusão. O recorte de como comparar duas propostas deixa a decisão mais prática.

    17
  17. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit requisitos seguro gastos médicos mayores México .

    18
  18. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    19
  19. I found practical estate planning resources through a local Comprehensive Estate Planning Attorney Near Me—see comprehensive estate planning attorney near me .

    20
  20. I found practical estate planning resources through a local Comprehensive Estate Planning Attorney Near Me—see ##anyKeyword##.

    21
  21. Flying my flag sets a positive tone for visitors. Visit: historical flag information

    23
  22. Flying my flag sets a positive tone for visitors. Visit: ##anyKeyword##

    24
  23. Uma imobiliaria que parece mesmo focada em experiencia do cliente. Conferi no imóveis para venda Brooklin Velho

    25
  24. Uma imobiliaria que parece mesmo focada em experiencia do cliente. Conferi no ##anyKeyword##

    26
  25. Thanks for the comprehensive read. Find more at download mp3juice songs .

    27
  26. Quick query: Do excursions on Santorini VIP excursions come with motel pickup in Fira and Oia?

    28
  27. Quick query: Do excursions on ##anyKeyword## come with motel pickup in Fira and Oia?

    29
  28. Thanks for the comprehensive read. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    30
  29. I delight in, lead to I found exactly what I was having a look for.
    You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day.
    Bye

    32
  30. Solid article for Fairfield homeowners exploring solar providers. Your tips are great—see solar power provider .

    33
  31. Solid article for Fairfield homeowners exploring solar providers. Your tips are great—see ##anyKeyword##.

    34
  32. Thanks for the clear advice. More at top SEO consultants .

    35
  33. Thanks for the clear advice. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    36
  34. I didn’t realize my water softener needed regular maintenance until the buildup on my fixtures got bad. If you’re in San Dimas and seeing spots on dishes again, you might want to get a filtration repair quote from water softener replacement & installation san dimas .

    37
  35. I didn’t realize my water softener needed regular maintenance until the buildup on my fixtures got bad. If you’re in San Dimas and seeing spots on dishes again, you might want to get a filtration repair quote from ##anyKeyword##.

    38
  36. This was quite informative. For more, visit glass roof installation .

    39
  37. This was quite informative. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    40
  38. Resumo útil sobre campo belo. Vale checar a documentação da unidade. estúdios Itaim Bibi

    41
  39. Resumo útil sobre campo belo. Vale checar a documentação da unidade.

    42
  40. I like that Men’s Waxing Services Las Vegas covers both luxury and more affordable facial treatment options in Las Vegas.

    43
  41. I like that ##anyKeyword## covers both luxury and more affordable facial treatment options in Las Vegas.

    44
  42. I’ve heard that cabinet refacing can be eco-friendlier than replacement. That’s a big reason I’m interested in Luxury Kitchen Design Los Angeles for my LA home.

    45
  43. I’ve heard that cabinet refacing can be eco-friendlier than replacement. That’s a big reason I’m interested in ##anyKeyword## for my LA home.

    46
  44. A captain can customize the route and pace, which is why I like the Newport Beach options on newport beach charter yacht .

    47
  45. A captain can customize the route and pace, which is why I like the Newport Beach options on ##anyKeyword##.

    48
  46. Η χρήση υδροπιεστικού έλυσε χρόνια προβλήματα. Βρήκα υπηρεσία στο αποφράξεις και αντλήσεις βόθρων .

    49
  47. Η χρήση υδροπιεστικού έλυσε χρόνια προβλήματα. Βρήκα υπηρεσία στο ##anyKeyword##.

    50


Leave a Reply