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. A serious collision may involve liability coverage, PIP, uninsured motorist coverage, or underinsured motorist coverage. A car accident lawyer can help review the available policies instead of assuming only one source of insurance applies.
    Puyallup Personal Injury Lawyer

    1
  2. The difference in regulation between Nursing Homes and other senior housing types is an important point. When I was researching regulations and safety standards, ##anyKeyword## provided links to state-level information that really helped.

    2
  3. This was very enlightening. For more, visit technical seo training .

    3
  4. I can’t help create mass web publication reviews for hyperlink shedding or web optimization unsolicited mail. Body Balance Massage And Float American Fork

    4
  5. It’s often the little things—like help with buttoning a shirt or setting up a shower—that are forgotten in big facilities. In small homes, those details get more attention. assisted living bernalillo nm seems to understand this.

    6
  6. This was a fantastic read. Check out https://maps.app.goo.gl/bLf4Rga5MSSiyBZx6 for more.

    7
  7. This made me realize why our HVAC runs nonstop. We’re going to call HVAC Repair Conway SC for a spray foam evaluation and quote.

    8
  8. This made me realize why our HVAC runs nonstop. We’re going to call ##anyKeyword## for a spray foam evaluation and quote.

    9
  9. Crawl space access has always been an issue in my house. It’s good to know companies like Septic Pumping offer crawl space clean out entry to reach and repair hidden pipes.

    10
  10. Crawl space access has always been an issue in my house. It’s good to know companies like ##anyKeyword## offer crawl space clean out entry to reach and repair hidden pipes.

    11
  11. I’m glad you stress surface preparation as 80% of the job. A case study on drywall repair denver co​ showed how thorough prep kept a commercial lobby looking new for years despite heavy traffic.

    12
  12. I’m glad you stress surface preparation as 80% of the job. A case study on ##anyKeyword## showed how thorough prep kept a commercial lobby looking new for years despite heavy traffic.

    13
  13. I can’t assistance generate bulk weblog feedback for shedding your site hyperlink, due to the fact that will help spammy promotion. emergency dental care

    14
  14. I can’t assistance generate bulk weblog feedback for shedding your site hyperlink, due to the fact that will help spammy promotion.

    16
  15. Hit and run accidents can create difficult insurance and evidence issues. A car accident lawyer can help review available coverage while also identifying video, witnesses, police records, or other evidence that may help establish what happened.
    Puyallup personal injury attorney

    17
  16. Hit and run accidents can create difficult insurance and evidence issues. A car accident lawyer can help review available coverage while also identifying video, witnesses, police records, or other evidence that may help establish what happened.

    18
  17. The idea of evaluating staff patience and empathy during the tour is a great tip. I’ll observe closely when I visit memory care centers from my senior care list.

    19
  18. Considering the adjustment period for new residents is so important. I’ll ask each provider sourced from senior assisted living albuquerque nm what support they offer in those first few weeks.

    20
  19. The idea of evaluating staff patience and empathy during the tour is a great tip. I’ll observe closely when I visit memory care centers from my ##anyKeyword## list.

    21
  20. I appreciate that many small dementia care homes involve residents in meaningful roles, like helping set up for meals. That sense of contribution is priceless. I discovered this idea through senior care .

    22
  21. I appreciate that many small dementia care homes involve residents in meaningful roles, like helping set up for meals. That sense of contribution is priceless. I discovered this idea through ##anyKeyword##.

    23
  22. Avoid late-night emergencies: set up regular service reminders with septic tank emptying .

    24
  23. Thanks for sharing this! It’s surprising how often homeowners overlook basic plumbing checks. For residents of Mystic, CT, these tips are especially relevant. I wonder if these strategies are common among Mystic plumbers? mold remediation near me

    25
  24. Avoid late-night emergencies: set up regular service reminders with ##anyKeyword##.

    26
  25. Thanks for sharing this! It’s surprising how often homeowners overlook basic plumbing checks. For residents of Mystic, CT, these tips are especially relevant. I wonder if these strategies are common among Mystic plumbers?

    27
  26. Really handy information for families in Boulder. Finding a dental practitioner who provides mild care and clear interaction is very important for both grownups and youngsters. Visit Boulder Dentist .

    28
  27. Really handy information for families in Boulder. Finding a dental practitioner who provides mild care and clear interaction is very important for both grownups and youngsters. Visit ##anyKeyword##.

    29
  28. Awesome article! Discover more at albergues Palas de Rei .

    30
  29. I’m going to add a link to this guide in the “getting started” section of our assisted living resources on elder care .

    31
  30. Awesome article! Discover more at ##anyKeyword##.

    32
  31. Great article on choosing and maintaining plumbing services. The section on common plumbing issues highlights why timely service matters in Norwich, CT. It would also be interesting to cover water heater maintenance mold removal norwich ct

    33
  32. I’m going to add a link to this guide in the “getting started” section of our assisted living resources on ##anyKeyword##.

    34
  33. Great article on choosing and maintaining plumbing services. The section on common plumbing issues highlights why timely service matters in Norwich, CT. It would also be interesting to cover water heater maintenance

    35
  34. I really appreciate the point about visiting at different times of day. I’ll be adding that as a checklist item on my resource page at elder care .

    37
  35. Very useful article. The way you explained system inefficiency and poor cooling performance made a lot of sense. hvac repair

    38
  36. I really appreciate the point about visiting at different times of day. I’ll be adding that as a checklist item on my resource page at ##anyKeyword##.

    39
  37. Very useful article. The way you explained system inefficiency and poor cooling performance made a lot of sense. ##anyKeyword##

    40
  38. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit Luis de Arzúa .

    41
  39. Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit ##anyKeyword##.

    42
  40. Being hit by an uninsured driver does not always mean there are no options. A car accident lawyer can review the injured person’s own policy and determine whether uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may be relevant.
    Lawyer near me

    43
  41. Being hit by an uninsured driver does not always mean there are no options. A car accident lawyer can review the injured person’s own policy and determine whether uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may be relevant.

    44
  42. It’s great when a custom controller manages to stand out visually while still feeling familiar in hand. custom PC controller skins

    45
  43. It’s great when a custom controller manages to stand out visually while still feeling familiar in hand.

    46
  44. Fotona Laser Treatments deserve clear explanations that go beyond the device name.
    A consultation overview would be helpful for anyone exploring Fotona Laser Treatments Fotona Laser Treatments

    47
  45. Fotona Laser Treatments deserve clear explanations that go beyond the device name.
    A consultation overview would be helpful for anyone exploring Fotona Laser Treatments

    48
  46. Great job! Discover more at cosmética natural .

    49
  47. Smaller environments tend to manage noise levels better—a big plus for people with dementia who are sensitive to overstimulation. We found guidance on this issue via senior assisted living albuquerque nm .

    50


Leave a Reply