Mohsin - Young With Yong Tow Foo

Celebrities share the same passion for food as we do. My Choice is a column where the rich and famous break bread with us. Actor Hani Mohsin Hanafi reveals how he maintains his youthful figure through food.

HOMETOWN YONG TOW FOO
Jalan Mamanda 9, Ampang Point
Ampang, Selangor
Business Hrs: Daily (10.30am to 11.30pm)

ACTOR Hani Mohsin Hanafi loves yong tow foo partly because it helps maintain his youthful figure.

“The best thing about yong tow foo is that besides being delicious it is also not fattening and is good for the diet.

“Most of the ingredients are either made of fish or soy, which are high in protein,” said the seasoned actor who is synonyms with Astro's game show Roda Impian.

Mohsin enjoying his yong tow foo at Hometown Yong Tow Foo in Ampang.

The father of nine-year-old Hani Karmila said he loved eating yong tow foo ever since he was little and bought them from the night markets.

However, his favourite yong tow foo outlet now is Hometown Yong Tow Foo, located near his office in Ampang Point.

“I know about this place since I live in the area.

“And since I set up my company Imagine Pictures nearby a few years ago, I have been a loyal customer ever since.”

Mohsin goes to the outlet at least once a week for brunch or early dinner.

“Apart from the good food, the service is also fast even during peak hours.”

Due to the fast service, he is not hesitant to bring his friends along.

“It is very convenient for us to come here for a quick meal,” he said.

Mohsin, who is now actively directing telemovies, documentaries and dramas said there were rumours at one time that the place was not halal.

He however did his own investigations by making queries at the restaurant and inspecting the halal certificate displayed.

Not wanting to be deprived of his favourite food, Mohsin also made calls to the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to verify the rumours.

“Jakim made surprise visits here several times and found that the allegations were baseless.

“People should not spread such rumours without verifying the truth.

“People from all walks of life and different ethnic groups enjoy eating yong tow foo although it is a Chinese dish.”

Mohsin, who has acted in more than a dozen movies and countless TV dramas and serials, currently has his hands full in various projects such as the recently completed telemovie Semanis Buah Ceri that he directs and acts in.

He will also be producing a travel documentary to promote local tourism destinations called Jalan Bersama Mohsin and two drama serials, Cintaku Untuk Mazni and Bogainvilla Di Tepi Jalan 2.

“Directing involves a lot more responsibilities than acting.

“Each gives me a different kind of satisfaction.”

But while he's at the outlet, all Mohsin cares about is making his selection of his favourite yong tow foo priced at 60sen apiece. “I noticed that the fried soi koi, which looks like curry puff but is stuffed with fish paste instead, is another bestseller here. “A lot of people enjoy it as a snack although it is equally good with the yong tow foo.”

To complete his meal, Mohsin never fails to accompany his meal with warm Chinese tea.

Originally published in The Star on Friday September 23, 2005