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 great suggestions. For more, visit precios ferretería Albacete .

    2
  2. 인원이 유동적이면 정산이 복잡해진다는 점까지 짚어 주는 부비의 예산 관리 조언은 모임을 준비하는 분들에게 특히 유용합니다

    3
  3. ответ на претензию о нарушении исключительных прав

    4
  4. Запчасти к гидронасосам

    5
  5. This was very well put together. Discover more at Carpet Cleaning near me .

    7
  6. If you’re getting to know hearing solutions in the Southwest, Southwestern Hearing Centers has assets I located exceedingly positive. hearing tests Southwestern

    8
  7. A jamaican food centennial search sounds like a fun starting point for exploring a different lunch option.
    A menu with clear descriptions makes unfamiliar dishes more approachable jamaican food centennial

    9
  8. Emergency Dentist Ventura information is more useful when it clearly explains how to request an urgent appointment.
    A visible phone number saves readers from searching through several pages Emergency Dentist Ventura

    10
  9. Gutter Repair Hackettstown estimates are easier to compare when the affected sections are clearly identified.
    A leak at a joint deserves a different explanation from water spilling over the edge downspout repair Hackettstown

    11
  10. Gutter Repair Hackettstown estimates are easier to compare when the affected sections are clearly identified.
    A leak at a joint deserves a different explanation from water spilling over the edge

    12
  11. I found this guide while searching for referral code for crypto exchange . The Bitget Referral Code “SAVE40” can help eligible new users explore potential trading fee savings and promotional rewards of up to 6,200 USDT

    13
  12. I found this guide while searching for ##anyKeyword##. The Bitget Referral Code “SAVE40” can help eligible new users explore potential trading fee savings and promotional rewards of up to 6,200 USDT

    15
  13. I came across Southwestern Hearing Centers to be expert, an expert, and supportive all the way through my remedy. hearing aids st louis audiologist

    16
  14. I came across Southwestern Hearing Centers to be expert, an expert, and supportive all the way through my remedy. ##anyKeyword##

    17
  15. Thanks for the practical tips. More at united auto repair and body .

    18
  16. Thanks for the practical tips. More at ##anyKeyword##.

    19
  17. This was a great article. Check out nutrición para embarazo for more.

    21
  18. Invisalign Calabasas CA information is easier to explore when the consultation process is clearly explained.
    A simple overview can help readers organize their questions Invisalign Calabasas CA

    22
  19. This was a great article. Check out ##anyKeyword## for more.

    23
  20. Invisalign Calabasas CA information is easier to explore when the consultation process is clearly explained.
    A simple overview can help readers organize their questions

    24
  21. Love the details here. I’ve been comparing solar installers in Tracy and found useful information on solar companies tracy .

    25
  22. Love the details here. I’ve been comparing solar installers in Tracy and found useful information on ##anyKeyword##.

    26
  23. Thanks for the insightful write-up. More like this at EPIs y seguridad laboral .

    27
  24. Useful information about timelines and permitting for Stockton solar installations. Learn more at solar power provider .

    28
  25. Thanks for the insightful write-up. More like this at ##anyKeyword##.

    29
  26. Great advice on comparing multiple solar proposals and spotting differences. solar company sacramento

    30
  27. Useful information about timelines and permitting for Stockton solar installations. Learn more at ##anyKeyword##.

    31
  28. Great advice on comparing multiple solar proposals and spotting differences. ##anyKeyword##

    32
  29. Thanks for mentioning how to evaluate customer reviews. I’ll explore solar company rocklin for solar installation in Rocklin.

    33
  30. Thanks for the step by step guide. If you want solar quotes in Danville, solar panel provider danville is a great start.

    34
  31. Excellent breakdown of the solar provider selection process in Fairfield. More details at solar power provider .

    35
  32. Thanks for mentioning how to evaluate customer reviews. I’ll explore ##anyKeyword## for solar installation in Rocklin.

    36
  33. If you need, I can create five top quality, non-spam remarks with regards to vibrators that clearly in good shape web publication discussions and depart house for this contact form with no sounding promotional.

    37
  34. Thanks for the step by step guide. If you want solar quotes in Danville, ##anyKeyword## is a great start.

    38
  35. Excellent breakdown of the solar provider selection process in Fairfield. More details at ##anyKeyword##.

    39
  36. If you need, I can create five top quality, non-spam remarks with regards to vibrators that clearly in good shape web publication discussions and depart house for ##anyKeyword## with no sounding promotional.

    40
  37. Very useful content for homeowners in Concord. Start your search at solar providers for solar providers.

    41
  38. Very useful content for homeowners in Concord. Start your search at ##anyKeyword## for solar providers.

    42
  39. Informative and practical—exactly what I needed. Check this for Antioch providers: solar panel provider

    43
  40. Informative and practical—exactly what I needed. Check this for Antioch providers: ##anyKeyword##

    44
  41. This is exactly the kind of info I needed for solar providers in Pleasanton. solar companies pleasanton

    45
  42. This is exactly the kind of info I needed for solar providers in Pleasanton. ##anyKeyword##

    46
  43. A septic engineering and design Wantage NJ proposal is easier to review when the project scope is clear.
    A site plan can make the initial discussion more concrete septic engineering and design Wantage NJ

    47
  44. This article is helpful for understanding the process of getting a solar quote in Grass Valley. solar power provider

    48
  45. A septic engineering and design Wantage NJ proposal is easier to review when the project scope is clear.
    A site plan can make the initial discussion more concrete

    49


Leave a Reply