Yours Lovingly, Beef Stroganoff @ Nagaria Steak House
July 26, 2010 | 738 views| 34 Comments » |
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Beef Stroganoff (RM17/USD5.20) – A sumptuous dish of Russian origin, barely available anymore in the menus nowadays.
For all it’s worth, I could not help but write another silly post today. Blame it on the unwelcoming thoughts of starting a full 5 days working week. Or the shot of caffeine earlier this morning (Thank you old town for the perpetually interesting selections of coffee. You’re intoxicating me). But since the previous post was on coffee and toast from a random back alley stall in Penang, let’s move slightly southward to a classic coffee house/steak house in Taiping.
Backed by an astonishing experience of 20 years in business, Nagaria Steak House on Jalan Pasar serves Western cuisine like how the past generations loved them. Of course, Nagaria also serves the occasional Asian fares like fried rice, noodles, and such, much like how Scotch Pub includes their legendary fried beehoon, fried gizzards and inchi kabin chicken into their dominatingly Western menu. Read on to find out just how ‘cheap’ the food at Nagaria is ….
If the interior and ornaments ain’t old school for ya, that smile on LZP’s face while dipping that buttered toast into his bowl of chicken cream soup sure scores BIG time!
Anyway, that lunch in Taiping was not supposed to happen. Or at least, not in a coffee house, of all places. But I ran out of ideas, circling around Pokok Assam area to no avail. Hence we had to rely on our GPS and the name “Nagaria” popped up alongside Doli Char Kuey Teow (Malay style) and Yut Sun Hainanese Restaurant.
Why not? Since we could use some air-conditioning after a scorching hot outing around Pokok Assam prior to that. A steak house sounds fine enough.
Cream of Chicken Soup, and the Toasted Buttered Bun (included in the Set Lunch for RM9.00/USD2.70)
The place does not exactly stand out amongst the many row of old, albeit well-preserved shop houses on Jalan Pasar (Market Road), intermittently breaking into several junctions along the way. But to recognize Nagaria is quite easy, as the cafe has a DRAGON (of all mythical creatures!) emblazoned on the signboard of the restaurant. A little faded alright, but still memorable enough. By the way, ‘Naga’ = Dragon in Malay, and ‘Ria’ = Happy.
So we were having our lunch in the belly of a Happy Dragon‘s? 
Black Pepper Chicken Chop – The set lunch of the day
Stepping in into the restaurant revealed almost the exact ambience one can expect from a timeless coffee house like this, along the line of Miner’s Arms, Scotch Pub and Rendezvous in Ipoh. Slightly neo-Tudor style, with a soft lighting.
The menu covers quite an admirable number of dishes; from steaks (RM29/USD8.80 onwards), to fish and chicken cooked in a variety of manners. And nothing that screamed generic or ambitiously chic-fusion-new age like the ones in those fusion cuisine nowadays. We had old-timers like Beef Stroganoff (YES!) and Chicken au Chambertin.
Chicken au Chambertin (RM8.90/USD2.70)- A deceptively delicious slab of grilled chicken with mushroom and red wine gravy
I initially eyed the steaks, for the Bombay steak (with a spicy Masala sauce) and Victoria steak (with minced beef and chicken toppings); both for RM29/USD8.80 each, sounds delicious enough. But then I saw Beef Stroganoff on the menu!
It’s been ages since I have tasted a good Beef Stroganoff, probably dating back to my childhood days when we used to have this at the Ipoh Golf Club (now Royal Perak Golf Club). And then this delicious combination of braised beef fillet in a tangy sour-cream based sauce served with butter rice seemed to have disappear from the menus of newer Western cuisine restaurants.
Beef Stroganoff with Butter Rice – Sweet, creamy, savoury, tangy and oh-so-rich …. the fillets of tenderloin deserve a mention for soaking up the gravy so perfectly. And the fluffy, aromatic butter rice played a role as well.
I could smell the whiff of butter rice from afar. For RM17/USD5.20, the portion may look small but definitely more than sufficient for lunch. A little decadent even, for scooping mouthfuls of butter rice drenched in the sweet and sour gravy with sliced onions and capsicum was certainly fulfilling; both in terms of hunger and cravings satiated.
I know, maybe to some, this is merely another rice and beef fillet dish. Like a Chinese style of ginger and spring onion beef with rice. Or my favourite sweet and sour pork with rice. But to be reliving those moments of endearment from my younger days …… it’s priceless.
A scoop of vanilla ice-cream and a cup of coffee complete the lunch set at Nagaria.
The other items were satisfactory, according to NK and LZP, my dining companions for the day. The portion of Black Pepper Chicken Chop looked a little smaller compared to the Au Chambertine. But understandable for the complete set for the former only cost RM9 each.
The other options for the set lunch were Fillet Of Fish or Braised Chicken with Kunyit (turmeric) and Rice for the same price.
Will I return again in the near future? You bet your bottom dollar! Okay, some might raise the issue of why not hawker food in Taiping instead of going Western?! But once in a while, having your lunch in the comfort of a coffee house/steak house sounds so much more inviting than sweating it by the roadside.
(ran off to hide from all the rotten tomatoes …..)
As if you’re entering from the side door, instead of from the front. But there is NO front entrance!
NAGARIA STEAK HOUSE
No 61, Jalan Pasar,
34000 Taiping, Perak, Malaysia.
Telephone : 605-806 9032, 6019-541 7948
Business hours : 12pm – 12am
Here’s a GOOGLE MAP to Nagaria Steak House
** Another review from From Taiping With Love
“ANY TAIPING LANG WANNA SHARE WHERE ELSE TO EAT IN TAIPING/POKOK ASSAM/KAMUNTING?”
The food looks simple but the most important is great taste, right?
(Wah,… and the prices are very reasonable)
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
I would not say no to another meal here, given the reasonable prices and comfortable surroundings.
We saw that the place is a favourite with the working crowd as well, more than 50% occupied that afternoon.
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Ok wor from the picture….but is it abit expensive ar?
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Beef Stroganoff really taste good? Too bad we can’t eat beef
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Wow! I didn’t know that there’s such a nice place for Western food in Taiping
but then, it’s coming from a guy who has never gone to Taiping before!
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Haha …. drop by some day. I’m sure your kid would love the Lake Gardens and all its serenity …
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Looks tempting enough especially the ice cream and nescafe.
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Since U are in a roll of trying yesteryears western food from Ipoh to Taiping, let me give U another good one to try. It is in Butterworth, call Salad Bowl… The thing is the menu in Salad bowl will be a bit confusing though, lots of choices… Give it a go.. It is at Jalan Chain Ferry if I am not mistaken..
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Thanks Yee. But all the way to Butterworth ah? Hmm … if Penang island, then should not be a problem. Since I am more accustomed to the streets there.
With all these old school eateries, I’m sure many would be left wondering …. how old exactly is this Motormouth?
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CW Yee Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Not that hard to find.. Part of the fun is finding the place.. haha… If you want I can provide you the google map location..
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There’s a shop in Kamunting that sells great seafood curry with bread. Consists of a big round bread with a hole in the middle. The seafood curry will then be poured into the middle of the bread, hence the bread absorbing all the goodness of the curry… sluurrrrrp!
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:09 am
Wah … you made that sound really, really delicious.
Got directions, road’s name or shop’s name?
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Bob Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Restoran Seong Lai @ Jalan Kamunting
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J2Kfm Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Thanks Bob. Will take note of this.
hey, you know Monte’s in BSC serve something similar. Used to eat this at Cable Car but since they close, i go to Monte’s
which reminds me i have not done that post yet.
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:09 am
Never even heard of Monte’s. Hehe …. only been to BSC for a few times though.
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neko-hime Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Must try, quite nice food here
ok, ok, i will post it up for you later 
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I guess they can call it anything they want but “beef stroganoff” it is not! Beef Stroganoff has a sauce made of sour cream, onions, garlic and mushrooms and looks white and creamy.
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:07 am
Thanks Linda for the clarification.
At Nagaria’s, their version had a sourish hint, maybe from tomato sauce/puree added.
Maybe not as authentic, but this one was really good.
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You all really know where the best places are to eat. I have had dinner and I know that I could make room for more of this great food or at least the ice cream. Thanks for this great trip with you.
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Yummmm… I haven’t eaten Beef Stroganoff for such a long time!
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I’m going to agree with uLi, i also think abit expensive
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I was so excited to read of this place with Beef Stroganoff ..then I read the comment by Linda. LOL.
Well, I guess it stil tasted good whether the name is hor?
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Yeah, doesn’t matter it sticks to the true blue, rich and creamy style, or a slightly localized version with a reddish outlook.
It’s all good. That’s what matters.
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I think the price is considered low , people can afford to spend in here eventhough the food quality is just average
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 8:28 am
Yeah, for RM9 per set, I would say it’s darn cheap. Maybe some of the ala carte items, but the chicken/fish chops are reasonably priced.
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Hi there,
For good nasi lemak but a little expensive, try Nasi Lemak Muhibbah at Jalan Tupai. Morning only. The bihun there also very good. Another good nasi lemak place are a row of stalls at junction between Taman Lakeview and Army barracks, morning only.
For good thosai, try Annapoorna, along Main Road (Jalan Taming Sari). Make sure you ask for the orange chutney…… Mornings.
You can also try the chicken chop at the corner coffee shop, opposite Ansari’s famous chendol stall. Very Hainanese, imho. The char Koey toew there also not bad….Mornings and evenings
Also the popiah in Restoran Ice Kacang at jalan Panggung Wayang. While you are there try the soya curd mix with the soya milk drink…..Lunchtime.
You can also try the blended red bean drink at Restoran Kacang Merah, lok2 and rojak. That stall use to sell at Lido theatre before the theatre was closed down. Evenings…
The seafood place opposite Lighthouse Restoran in Matang is very popular with the locals, but only open during dinner, ya…..Steam tau teh and steam prawns, deep fried Chai yee…..
During the night, opposite Tai Chien coffeshop, along Market road, you can get good kaisi noodles. Make sure you try the braised chicken feet, tong sui and curry cockles….
Still hungry during the night, try siang malam, a row of eateries (dine al fresco) in the oldest market in Msia, the ikan bilis nasi lemak (prepack) is non spicy and delicious. Also got steam bengali bread with kaya and margarine. Make sure you eat this hot….
Food standard in Taiping are not as good as they used to be, so try them soon and keep those memories….
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Thanks Henry. That list will keep me occupied for a whole year!
I think I tried Nasi Lemak Muhibbah before, a stall at a T-junction right? Not really to my liking, but the Malays seemed to enjoy it nevertheless.
Opposite the Ansari which I wrote about?
Oh I did not notice the coffee shop.
Only been to Yut Sun and Wan Li for Hainanese chops.
Great list to go through. I will be sure to visit most of the morning-afternoon ones in the near future.
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Ya, that’s the Muhibbah stall I was talking abt…. Different people, different taste, I guess.
Just like the fried Teochew noodle (which I dare not recommend) under the former Larut Matang Supermarket. Loads of Taipingnites swear by it but to my wife (from Alor Star), taste is so, so….
For the chicken chop stall opposite Ansari’s, it is in a coffeshop called Yew Lee.
Thanks to people like you, Taiping slowly sheds it’s sleepy town image. Keep up the good work!!
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J2Kfm Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Oh I see, thanks.
That nasi lemak was okay, not exactly expensive lah … manageable. But I found the rice rather clumpy, or maybe that day only.
Anyway, keep them coming!
I will be down to Taiping soon again.
Is Aun Loke at Pokok Assam a good choice?
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Sorry, did not try Aun Loke before……
There is a famous “lai fun” noodle handmade by the stall owner inside the Pokok Assam wet market. Though the noodle is so, so (imho) it is very rare to find non commercialized, hand made noodle anymore. You can ask the pple in that market where this lai fun noodle stall is. Mornings only.
Wan to write a 1Malaysia story? Well, opposite Nagaria Steak house is the Esso petrol station. Along this petrol station is a nondescript shophouse which is shared by a Chinese stall, selling fruits + rojak and a Malay couple selling laksa, all inside this one shop lot. One of the helpers there, a Malay lady is a very cheerful person whom my wife is friendly with. Mornings till afternoon…..
There is also a ccf (chee cheong fun) stall located at the hawker center behind the town bomba station. True blue Taipingnites (me included) grew up eating this and swear by it but may not be anything to shout about by outstation folks. Simple white flat noodles with red sweet sauce, chili sauce, oil and plenty of fried shallots. Like the famous ccf stall in Thean Chun , Ipoh. Make sure you ask for more sauces…. boy, they are so stingy with the sauce , nowadays….
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J2Kfm Reply:
August 7th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Thank you Henry.
I passed by a Goreng Pisang shop on Jln Pasar the other day, rather packed also during lunch.
What do they sell beside banana fritters?
I am eyeing that Malay-Chinese shop you mentioned. Will look out for this.
Even in Ipoh I am rather particular about my CCF.
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Hi there,
I’m from Taiping. I’m recommending this noodle dish but due to the mobility of the hawker, you might find it difficult to review during your trips to Taiping.
It’s an almost obsolete soup noodle. I don’t think you will be able to find it anywhere else in M’sia. We called it Tong Tong Fun when we were kids. This hawker cycles his noodle cart around Taiping tapping a soup spoon on a rice noodle bowl making this loud “tong! tong!” sound. The noodles consists of glass vermicelli in clear soup, with chinese crullers, pork balls and fish balls and tong choy. Eat this with generous helpings of chilipadi and you will love it.
Whenever we are back, my husband who is from KL will eagerly wait for the sound this hawker makes and hearing it, he will rush out to stop the hawker. This guy cycles around Pokok Assam in the afternoon and I recently heard from my parents that nowadays he stops for a hiatus at Pokok Assam market square to sell his noodles. I guess age is catching up with him.
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Hey Jen,
This noodle dish is available in Nam Chau, a famous curry mee outlet in Ipoh. They name this as “Tar Lan Woon”, or Break The Bowl.
But I am not sure if it’s one of the same, though your description of it seems to be spot-on.
Cycling around Pokok Assam?! Aiyo … I am a lost sheep there. But I will take note of this.
It will be good if you can tell which roads, or areas he plies. Somewhere around the post office there?
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