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 a fantastic resource. Check out ייעוץ להבראה כלכלית for more.

    1
  2. Sobre exto: mais de 30 anos de atuação e o futuro gil eanes — o que revisar quando novas informações forem publicadas, a análise deixa o pré-lançamento mais fácil de acompanhar sem inventar planta ou preço do Gil Eanes Exto.
    lançamento empreendimento campo belo

    2
  3. отзывы о работе экспертов

    3
  4. о компании

    5
  5. This was very beneficial. For more, visit ארוחת בוקר חלבית .

    6
  6. Our green journey alternatives, consisting of mountain climbing and neighborhood farms, came from surfing combo tours with cruises Greece .

    7
  7. This is precisely what aiming pilots need– functional and inspiring. Check out better at https://unsplash.com/@ortionywga .

    8
  8. For Canadian players who decide on low minimum deposits and speedy withdrawals, leading slots Canada sounds like a decent desire for online slots. I’d be taken with any criticism about their RTP and how recurrently the slots as a matter of fact pay out.

    9
  9. For Canadian players who decide on low minimum deposits and speedy withdrawals, ##anyKeyword## sounds like a decent desire for online slots. I’d be taken with any criticism about their RTP and how recurrently the slots as a matter of fact pay out.

    10
  10. Πολύ ωραίο περιεχόμενο για τη νυχτερινή διασκέδαση. Αν κάποιος θέλει να προσθέσει και athens escorts greece στην εμπειρία του, ας δει το discreet call girls Athens .

    11
  11. Πολύ ωραίο περιεχόμενο για τη νυχτερινή διασκέδαση. Αν κάποιος θέλει να προσθέσει και athens escorts greece στην εμπειρία του, ας δει το ##anyKeyword##.

    12
  12. Thông tin liên hệ:
    Thương hiệu: SUNWIN
    Website: https://ios-sunwins.com
    Email: contact@ios-sunwins

    15
  13. Thông tin liên hệ:
    Thương hiệu: SUNWIN
    Website: https://sunwin8.gb.net
    Email: sunwingamevip1@gmail

    16
  14. Thông tin liên hệ:
    Thương hiệu: 789CLUB
    Website: https://789club07.top
    Email: 789club07top@gmail

    17
  15. This was quite informative. For more, visit יועץ פיננסי מומלץ .

    19
  16. This was quite informative. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    20
  17. Thanks for the thorough article. Find more at מסעדה חלבית כשרה .

    21
  18. Thanks for the thorough article. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    22
  19. Mira Verde is a master-planned community located in Tbilisi Hills Georgia. The growth includes apartments villas and townhouses together with a 5-star inn an 18-hole golf unmistakeably a 6000 m? longevity and wellness nucleus a medical determination restaurants retail a European phase school kindergarten and AI university. The community is located all over 10 minutes from midst Tbilisi with Tbilisi Oecumenical Airport obtain 20 minutes away. Residences are delivered fully furnished with branded interiors and file access to hotel-level services. The prima ballerina residential allege Trussardi Residences offers studios and 1- and 2-bedroom apartments with the website currently showing starting prices from USD 196216 and a 60/40 payment plan. More advice in dissemination availability overcome plans and payment details are handy on the formal website: https://www.verde-grounds.com/

    23
  20. Honeymoon planning! We would like a romantic, low-crowd sundown spot and a individual wine tasting. Considering a bespoke direction due to book Santorini tours —any must-see viewpoints?

    25
  21. Em assistência médica rj, separar operadora, produto e modalidade evita muita confusão. O recorte de como comparar duas propostas deixa a decisão mais prática.
    seguro saúde regional RJ

    26
  22. Em assistência médica rj, separar operadora, produto e modalidade evita muita confusão. O recorte de como comparar duas propostas deixa a decisão mais prática.

    27
  23. Interessante saber quais regiões da zona sul estão com melhor oferta. Vou conferir em Brooklin povoaimoveis imobiliária .

    28
  24. Interessante saber quais regiões da zona sul estão com melhor oferta. Vou conferir em ##anyKeyword##.

    29
  25. Thats a very good feedback. What are your thoughts on expansion on a global scale?
    People obviously get frustrated when it begins
    to affect them locally. I will be back soon and
    follow up with a response.

    30
  26. This e-book made me understand how fundamental that’s to agree with your contractor; first-rate things lots! steel fence contractor Melbourne

    31
  27. This e-book made me understand how fundamental that’s to agree with your contractor; first-rate things lots! ##anyKeyword##

    32
  28. 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.
    lançamento imobiliário campo belo

    33
  29. Dental Crowns Southgate CA options can help restore damaged teeth.
    This overview of Dental Crowns Southgate CA was clear and balanced.
    I’m researching Dental Crowns Southgate CA before arranging a consultation Dental Crowns Southgate CA

    36
  30. Dental Crowns Southgate CA options can help restore damaged teeth.
    This overview of Dental Crowns Southgate CA was clear and balanced.
    I’m researching Dental Crowns Southgate CA before arranging a consultation

    37
  31. Ridiculous quest there. What happened after? Good luck!

    38
  32. Σωστή επισήμανση για τη σημασία του context στις Μεταφράσεις. Για εφαρμογές, websites και manuals, το υπηρεσίες μετάφρασης Θεσσαλονίκη έχει αποδειχθεί πολύ χρήσιμο εργαλείο για εμάς.

    39
  33. Dental Crowns Los Angeles CA options can support damaged or weakened teeth.
    This guide to Dental Crowns Los Angeles CA was clear and informative.
    I’m researching Dental Crowns Los Angeles CA before choosing a provider Dental Crowns Los Angeles CA

    40
  34. Σωστή επισήμανση για τη σημασία του context στις Μεταφράσεις. Για εφαρμογές, websites και manuals, το ##anyKeyword## έχει αποδειχθεί πολύ χρήσιμο εργαλείο για εμάς.

    41
  35. Dental Crowns Los Angeles CA options can support damaged or weakened teeth.
    This guide to Dental Crowns Los Angeles CA was clear and informative.
    I’m researching Dental Crowns Los Angeles CA before choosing a provider

    42
  36. Sobre rua kansas, 666 no brooklin, o ponto ajuda a organizar a pesquisa. O enfoque em erros que vale evitar é útil para acompanhar Kansas | Brooklin sem inventar ficha técnica.
    apartamento alto padrão São Paulo

    43
  37. Sobre rua kansas, 666 no brooklin, o ponto ajuda a organizar a pesquisa. O enfoque em erros que vale evitar é útil para acompanhar Kansas | Brooklin sem inventar ficha técnica.

    44
  38. Σημαντικό να προγραμματίζουμε έγκαιρα, ειδικά σε περιόδους υψηλής ζήτησης. Στο προσωρινές τουαλέτες καθαρισμός προτείνουν να γίνεται κράτηση χημικών τουαλετών τουλάχιστον 1–2 μήνες πριν.

    45
  39. Σημαντικό να προγραμματίζουμε έγκαιρα, ειδικά σε περιόδους υψηλής ζήτησης. Στο ##anyKeyword## προτείνουν να γίνεται κράτηση χημικών τουαλετών τουλάχιστον 1–2 μήνες πριν.

    46
  40. I found this very interesting. For more, visit ייעוץ משכנתאות .

    48
  41. Valuable information! Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    49
  42. I found this very interesting. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    50


Leave a Reply