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. Appreciate the helpful advice. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    1
  2. Appreciate the helpful advice. For more, visit opiniones clínica capilar Jaén .

    2
  3. Nettie Lawrence says:

    This was beautifully organized. Discover more at Super Clean Machine .

    3
  4. Thank you for the helpful info about substance use treatment options. rehab near me

    4
  5. Great read for Yuba City residents. I found helpful details at solar companies yuba city to evaluate providers.

    7
  6. Wow, that’s what I was seeking for, what a information! existing here at this website,
    thanks admin of this site.

    8
  7. It’s important to choose apartment movers who are familiar with local buildings, parking rules, and moving day logistics in Canoga Park. Visit: affordable moving companies Canoga Park

    9
  8. It’s important to choose apartment movers who are familiar with local buildings, parking rules, and moving day logistics in Canoga Park. Visit: ##anyKeyword##

    10
  9. The home-like feel of smaller senior care homes helps reduce agitation in people with Alzheimer’s. It’s not so overwhelming compared to large facilities. I’d suggest anyone researching options check resources like memory care .

    11
  10. Ponto bem organizado sobre vila olímpia. Vale testar a mobilidade real do endereço. comprar studio Ibirapuera

    12
  11. Ponto bem organizado sobre vila olímpia. Vale testar a mobilidade real do endereço.

    13
  12. The home-like feel of smaller senior care homes helps reduce agitation in people with Alzheimer’s. It’s not so overwhelming compared to large facilities. I’d suggest anyone researching options check resources like ##anyKeyword##.

    14
  13. The advice to read admission and discharge criteria carefully could save a lot of stress later. I’m revisiting all the documents from communities I saw on memory care near me .

    15
  14. Thanks for covering how families can support recovery in Albuquerque rehab settings. rehab center

    16
  15. The advice to read admission and discharge criteria carefully could save a lot of stress later. I’m revisiting all the documents from communities I saw on ##anyKeyword##.

    17
  16. Thanks for covering how families can support recovery in Albuquerque rehab settings. ##anyKeyword##

    18
  17. I love when providers design care around the “small house” model. It feels like living in a real home, not an institution. assisted living arrowhead az does a good job explaining why that matters for memory care.

    19
  18. I love when providers design care around the “small house” model. It feels like living in a real home, not an institution. ##anyKeyword## does a good job explaining why that matters for memory care.

    20
  19. The idea of trial stays or respite care as a test run is brilliant. We mention this as an option on senior living as well.

    21
  20. The idea of trial stays or respite care as a test run is brilliant. We mention this as an option on ##anyKeyword## as well.

    22
  21. The content feels grounded and practical for choosing a rehab center in Palm Beach Gardens. rehab facility palm beach gardens

    23
  22. The content feels grounded and practical for choosing a rehab center in Palm Beach Gardens. ##anyKeyword##

    24
  23. This post is spot-on for choosing solar providers in Auburn with quality workmanship. Here’s mine: solar companies auburn

    25
  24. This post is spot-on for choosing solar providers in Auburn with quality workmanship. Here’s mine: ##anyKeyword##

    26
  25. This post is exactly what I needed before contacting solar providers in Davis. solar companies

    28
  26. This post is exactly what I needed before contacting solar providers in Davis. ##anyKeyword##

    29
  27. Miami is such a busy transport hub, so planning ahead for auto shipping is definitely important. Helpful resource: fast auto shipping Miami .

    30
  28. Miami is such a busy transport hub, so planning ahead for auto shipping is definitely important. Helpful resource: ##anyKeyword##.

    31
  29. This is quite enlightening. Check out alojamientos en el Camino Francés for more.

    32
  30. This is quite enlightening. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    33
  31. Useful article for Lodi homeowners planning a solar upgrade. solar providers

    34
  32. Useful article for Lodi homeowners planning a solar upgrade. ##anyKeyword##

    35
  33. If you are searching for rehab center in charlotte, this looks like a great resource rehab facility

    36
  34. If you are searching for rehab center in charlotte, this looks like a great resource ##anyKeyword##

    37
  35. This is a solid guide for families considering rehab center care. rehabilitation center

    38
  36. This is a solid guide for families considering rehab center care. ##anyKeyword##

    39
  37. Seniors with mobility challenges often do better in a compact, familiar setting. In a smaller home, it’s easier to safely assist with transfers, bathing, and grooming. memory care collierville tn appears to understand this need.

    41
  38. Seniors with mobility challenges often do better in a compact, familiar setting. In a smaller home, it’s easier to safely assist with transfers, bathing, and grooming. ##anyKeyword## appears to understand this need.

    42
  39. This post is helpful for homeowners weighing solar in Yuba City. Learn more at Solar energy company .

    43
  40. This post is helpful for homeowners weighing solar in Yuba City. Learn more at ##anyKeyword##.

    44
  41. If you’re promoting an office moving company in St. Petersburg, a better approach is to leave genuine, relevant comments that add value to the discussion. St. Petersburg international movers

    45
  42. If you’re promoting an office moving company in St. Petersburg, a better approach is to leave genuine, relevant comments that add value to the discussion.

    46
  43. Great variety of angles — Melbourne sports photographers should experiment similarly during matches. sports photographer

    48
  44. Great job! Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    49
  45. Great variety of angles — Melbourne sports photographers should experiment similarly during matches.

    50


Leave a Reply