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 like how you suggested creating a written checklist. We offer a printable checklist on ##anyKeyword## that follows a similar structure.

    1
  2. If you wish, I can support with moral alternatives like: here

    2
  3. Tree removal should always be handled by professionals with proper insurance. tree service st george ut

    4
  4. First-rate service every time with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re certainly the best lawn care in Gainesville. lawn care gainesville fl

    5
  5. Για επαγγελματικούς χώρους, η τακτική συντήρηση με τους Αποφράξεις Αναγνώστου προσφορές κρατά τις αποχετεύσεις καθαρές όλο το χρόνο.

    6
  6. Για πολυκατοικία, συντονιστήκαμε με διαχείριση και αποφράξεις και καθαρισμός υδρορροών , όλα κύλησαν άψογα.

    7
  7. Για πολυκατοικία, συντονιστήκαμε με διαχείριση και ##anyKeyword##, όλα κύλησαν άψογα.

    8
  8. Honeymoon making plans! We wish a romantic, low-crowd sundown spot and a non-public wine tasting. Considering a bespoke path by way of Santorini boat day tours —any should-see viewpoints?

    9
  9. Honeymoon making plans! We wish a romantic, low-crowd sundown spot and a non-public wine tasting. Considering a bespoke path by way of ##anyKeyword##—any should-see viewpoints?

    10
  10. Great write-up. It’s good to know what to expect from a tax accountant and how to validate trust. tax preparation

    11
  11. Appreciate the helpful advice. For more, visit ייעוץ להבראה כלכלית .

    12
  12. Great write-up. It’s good to know what to expect from a tax accountant and how to validate trust. ##anyKeyword##

    13
  13. Great reminder—professional hauling helps keep neighborhoods cleaner and reduces illegal dumping risk. Junk Hauler

    14
  14. If you’re browsing for the “most exceptional Sushi Restaurant near me” in St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a must do! sushi st augustine

    15
  15. Appreciate the helpful advice. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    16
  16. Great reminder—professional hauling helps keep neighborhoods cleaner and reduces illegal dumping risk. ##anyKeyword##

    17
  17. I appreciate the emphasis on communication—phone support, text updates, and clear timelines reduce stress. This is a good start: Plumber

    18
  18. If you’re browsing for the “most exceptional Sushi Restaurant near me” in St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a must do!

    19
  19. I appreciate the emphasis on communication—phone support, text updates, and clear timelines reduce stress. This is a good start: ##anyKeyword##

    21
  20. It is smart to think about how often you will need access to your items storage units

    22
  21. It is smart to think about how often you will need access to your items

    23
  22. Thanks for the great explanation. Find more at Farez Finish Restoration .

    24
  23. Thanks for the great explanation. Find more at ##anyKeyword##.

    25
  24. The most elite moving company in Jacksonville fl without hesitation goes to Jaguar Moving, the very best moving company in Jacksonville fl in St Augustine. moving company

    26
  25. Καλή ιδέα να αναφέρετε την προσβασιμότητα ΑμεΑ. Υπάρχουν ειδικές χημικές τουαλέτες με ράμπες και μεγαλύτερο χώρο, και στο εξωτερικές τουαλέτες για εκδηλώσεις φαίνονται αναλυτικά τα χαρακτηριστικά τους.

    28
  26. The most elite moving company in Jacksonville fl without hesitation goes to Jaguar Moving, the very best moving company in Jacksonville fl in St Augustine.

    29
  27. Καλή ιδέα να αναφέρετε την προσβασιμότητα ΑμεΑ. Υπάρχουν ειδικές χημικές τουαλέτες με ράμπες και μεγαλύτερο χώρο, και στο ##anyKeyword## φαίνονται αναλυτικά τα χαρακτηριστικά τους.

    30
  28. Excellent service whenever with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re undoubtedly the most effective lawn care company in St Augustine. Their techs really diagnose dirt and turf issues, not just spray and pray, and their customer care is quick and pleasant lawn care

    31
  29. Fantastic post for each person on the search for a commercial roofing contractor in College Station, TX. Proper set up and drainage are key. spire roofing solutions college station

    32
  30. Excellent service whenever with The Master’s Lawn & Pest! They’re undoubtedly the most effective lawn care company in St Augustine. Their techs really diagnose dirt and turf issues, not just spray and pray, and their customer care is quick and pleasant

    33
  31. Fantastic post for each person on the search for a commercial roofing contractor in College Station, TX. Proper set up and drainage are key. ##anyKeyword##

    34
  32. If you’re looking for the “most exceptional Chinese food near me” around St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a winner! chinese food near me

    35
  33. Thanks for the advice. For fixing running bogs in Richardson Texas, fee plumber richardson tx

    36
  34. If you’re looking for the “most exceptional Chinese food near me” around St. Augustine, Ginger Bistro is a winner!

    37
  35. Thanks for the advice. For fixing running bogs in Richardson Texas, fee ##anyKeyword##

    38
  36. I’ve been searching for the best Chiropractor near me in St Augustine and was consistently seeing wonderful testimonials regarding Pain Relief Centre. After my initial see, I understood why– expert treatment, customized treatment, and real results chiropractor st augustine

    39
  37. I have actually been searching for the best Gutters replacement company near me and kept seeing multiple exceptional evaluations about A+ Gutters for Ponte Vedra Beach gutters

    40
  38. I’ve been searching for the best Chiropractor near me in St Augustine and was consistently seeing wonderful testimonials regarding Pain Relief Centre. After my initial see, I understood why– expert treatment, customized treatment, and real results

    41
  39. Quality solution every time with SI Service Group! They’re certainly the best ac repair in Tupelo.
    Had them out recently and the technologies were timely, specialist, and had my system cooling fast ac repair tupelo

    42
  40. I have actually been searching for the best Gutters replacement company near me and kept seeing multiple exceptional evaluations about A+ Gutters for Ponte Vedra Beach

    43
  41. Great job! Discover more at external glass doors .

    44
  42. I would definitely want a company that understands native and drought-tolerant trees in Utah. tree removal near me

    45
  43. Great job! Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    46
  44. I would definitely want a company that understands native and drought-tolerant trees in Utah.

    47
  45. Quality solution every time with SI Service Group! They’re certainly the best ac repair in Tupelo.
    Had them out recently and the technologies were timely, specialist, and had my system cooling fast

    48
  46. Love researching approximately unique styles and resources—I’ll reach out to ###ANYKEYWORD### this week for added tips. Get more info

    49
  47. Love researching approximately unique styles and resources—I’ll reach out to ###ANYKEYWORD### this week for added tips.

    50


Leave a Reply