{"id":53971,"date":"2020-11-27T11:35:19","date_gmt":"2020-11-27T11:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=53971"},"modified":"2020-11-27T11:35:21","modified_gmt":"2020-11-27T11:35:21","slug":"james-chant-matusdai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2020\/11\/27\/james-chant-matusdai\/","title":{"rendered":"Our pop-ups were busier every week, then Covid-19 shut our restaurant idea down"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">James Chant, founder of Wales\u2019 only ramen joint, chats about delivering his business to customers after lockdown halted his restaurant plans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Listen to this story<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<iframe class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" src=\"about:blank\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A\/\/api.soundcloud.com\/tracks\/926522407&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true&amp;visual=true\"><\/iframe><noscript><iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"100\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A\/\/api.soundcloud.com\/tracks\/926522407&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=true&amp;visual=true\"><\/iframe><\/noscript><div style=\"font-size: 10px;color: #cccccc;overflow: hidden;font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100\"><a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/cardiffjomec\" title=\"CardiffJomec\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cccccc;text-decoration: none\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CardiffJomec<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/cardiffjomec\/how-matsudai-ramen-kept-delivering-the-goods-over-lockdown\" title=\"How Matsudai Ramen Kept Delivering the Goods over Lockdown\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cccccc;text-decoration: none\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">How Matsudai Ramen Kept Delivering the Goods over Lockdown<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-1024x512.png\" alt=\"James Chant assembling ramen bowl at Matsudai popup.\" class=\"wp-image-53979\" width=\"1500\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-770x385.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-1366x683.png 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-585x293.png 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-1170x585.png 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller.png 1500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-293x147.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-1400x700.png 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-1024x512.png\" alt=\"James Chant assembling ramen bowl at Matsudai popup.\" class=\"wp-image-53979\" width=\"1500\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-770x385.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-1366x683.png 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-585x293.png 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-1170x585.png 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller.png 1500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-293x147.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-1-smaller-1400x700.png 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>The majority of cooking for ramen is done in advance, leaving only reheating and assembly to be done in the restaurant. Photo Credit: Jamie Allen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>James Chant founded Matsudai Ramen to resolve a creative itch that needed scratching.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After turning 40, moving house, and getting married all within a short space of time, James knew he wanted a change of direction in life.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking about the experience, James said: \u201cI got into a really dark place with it one day. I hit rock bottom. I knew I needed to do something creative, I just wasn\u2019t sure what that was.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, just a year after its anniversary, he has navigated Wales\u2019 only ramen joint successfully through the coronavirus pandemic where much of the hospitality sector has suffered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Adapting from a sit-down experience to preparing heat-at-home <a href=\"https:\/\/matsudai.co.uk\/pages\/assembly\">fresh and frozen DIY kits<\/a> to supply residents of Cardiff and South Wales with noodles, James has been able to deliver his goods without compromising quality, or safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Noodling to noodles<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite working within the creative industries, James\u2019 previous job of managing music artists and venues, such as the now closed Gwdih\u0175, had shifted to mostly administrative tasks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI just decided I was going to quit all of my work.\u201d And, without a plan in mind, he set about learning design software; as his first project, he created Matsudai\u2019s logo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having previously visited Japan on tour, James found himself fascinated by the nation\u2019s culture and food. Although, he reluctantly admitted to not having eaten a bowl of ramen while there.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-1024x512.png\" alt=\"An example of a fresh ramen kit containing noodles, broth, chasu pork, tare, and more. \" class=\"wp-image-53974\" width=\"1500\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-770x385.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-1536x768.png 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-2048x1024.png 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-1366x683.png 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-1920x960.png 1920w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-585x293.png 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-1170x585.png 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-1500x750.png 1500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-293x147.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-1400x700.png 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-1024x512.png\" alt=\"An example of a fresh ramen kit containing noodles, broth, chasu pork, tare, and more. \" class=\"wp-image-53974\" width=\"1500\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-770x385.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-1536x768.png 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-2048x1024.png 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-1366x683.png 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-1920x960.png 1920w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-585x293.png 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-1170x585.png 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-1500x750.png 1500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-293x147.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/james-chant-2-1400x700.png 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Each DIY kit comes with instructions and tips on heating at home. Photo Credit: Ed Choo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>The pop-ups were going crazy. We had offers of investment. People were really picking up on it and attached themselves to it<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Matsudai\u2019s first public venture came through a <a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2019\/11\/11\/waless-only-dedicated-ramen-joint-announces-residency-at-new-coffee-shop\/\">series of pop-ups<\/a> at Cardiff venue Blue Honey last September. James had clearly tapped into something unique, as each night sold out within hours of tickets going live.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe pop-ups were going crazy. We had offers of investment,&#8221; he said, adding: &#8220;People were really picking up on it and attached themselves to it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From pop-ups to drop offs<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, after just a few weeks into a planned six-week takeover, the first national lockdown in March brought Matsudai to a screeching halt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, where most restaurants were forced to shut for the foreseeable future, Matsudai already had a contingency in place.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>James had already been supplying DIY kits to his friends before the pop-ups began. From there he simply scaled up the business for public consumption as it was the \u201cobvious thing to do.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe were really lucky,\u201d he noted. As Matsudai was still within its infancy when lockdown began, they were not tied down by restraints of other businesses trying to retrofit existing premises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>The hours are crazy, there\u2019s grease everywhere a lot of the time. It\u2019s just pretty full on<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>However, while James is thankful for the kits keeping his business alive, it\u2019s far from his ultimate goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe hours are crazy, there\u2019s grease everywhere a lot of the time. I\u2019m interested in a little bit of that, but I\u2019m not interested in that being my life,\u201d he laughed. \u201cYou spend some time cooking, but you spend a lot of time putting things in bags and cardboard boxes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently, he operates the business out of an industrial unit within Taff&#8217;s Well, when all of the preparation for the ramen kits and pop-up nights is done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He still hopes to open a flagship restaurant, as well as using Matsudai as an education vehicle for Japanese food and culture.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He believes that ramen remains inaccessible and underrepresented across the UK; something he\u2019d like to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m really interested in spreading the word as authentically as I can, and as faithfully as I can,&#8221; he said. Although, he noted the difficulties surround appropriation, stating &#8220;It&#8217;s a little hard to manage, as I&#8217;m a white dude in his 40s from Cardiff. That&#8217;s why I plan to keep my own spin on things.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1021\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-1024x1021.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54572\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-1024x1021.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-770x768.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-1536x1531.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-2048x2042.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-1083x1080.jpg 1083w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-1806x1800.jpg 1806w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-293x292.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-390x390.jpg 390w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-1400x1396.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1021\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-1024x1021.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54572\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-1024x1021.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-770x768.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-1536x1531.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-2048x2042.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-1083x1080.jpg 1083w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-1806x1800.jpg 1806w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-293x292.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-390x390.jpg 390w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/2020_11_1-Miso-kit-1400x1396.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">What\u2019s in a kit?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every ramen kit ordered will come in a cardboard box, complete with ingredients and a short set of instructions on assembly. While each box will vary depending on the type of ramen you have ordered, all of the freezer kits will come with these included:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Broth &#8211; the main flavour of the whole dish, to be reheated gently<\/li><li>Noodles &#8211; to be placed in boiling water for a short period of time<\/li><li>Chashu &#8211; often pork, sometimes chicken; to be reheated and crisped to one&#8217;s liking<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>However, as ramen flavour profiles are so diverse, many of their fresh kits come with special ingredients that require assembly in a different order. Instructions for putting these together are always released simultaneously via their Instagram page.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The founder of Wales\u2019 only ramen joint chats about delivering his business to customers after lockdown halted his restaurant plans<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":526,"featured_media":53979,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,162],"tags":[173,7156,7128,7196,7195],"coauthors":[7090],"class_list":["post-53971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food","category-food-home","tag-cardiff-character","tag-james-chant","tag-lockdown","tag-matsudai-ramen","tag-wales-ramen"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - 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