Showing posts with label .Station: Potong Pasir. Show all posts
Showing posts with label .Station: Potong Pasir. Show all posts

Friday, August 31, 2018

Mustard Seed Pop Up @ Potong Pasir - Kaiseki Style Private Dining That Is Worthy For The Long Waiting List

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Lately I have been checking out a number of private dining places such as Lucky House and Fat Fuku with my foodie friends. We are lucky to score a table at Mustard Seed Pop Up in August because a group cancelled their booking. Currently Mustard Seed is already booked out for the year. The private kitchen is helmed by Chef Ming Kiat who has worked and learned his craft at Goto and Candlenut. He left Singapore to work as a chef at the Singapore High Commission in Australia before returning home to start Mustard Seed.

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Watercress Chawanmushi 4.2/5

We were given a glimpse of Chef Ming Kiat's culinary philosophy starting from the first dish, using local ingredients to create Japanese Kaiseki style dishes. Instead of dashi, he cleverly uses watercress broth to make the smooth and silky Watercress Chawanmushi. In it, there are also mushroom, tender chicken cubes and junsai (a kind of perennial water plant that grows in shallow ponds and swamps).

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Fried Frog Legs Hakka Style 4.8/5

The aroma of the Fried Frog Legs already makes me drool even before they are served. The lightly  battered frog legs are inspired from the local Har Cheong Gai. The fermented shrimp paste works beautifully with the tender frog leg meat. Squeeze a bit of the calamansi to liven the whole flavour.

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Milk Bun 4.5/5

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Grouper in White Curry 4.2/5

Next we have Grouper in Japanese White Curry with Milk Bun. The highlight is the soft and fluffy milk bun. It is so good that we asked for more. Unfortunately there was no extra. I was hoping for more bread to wipe up the delicious white curry.

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Yong Tau Foo, Oden 4.8/5

Another favourite dish of mine is the Japanese twist of Oden, Yong Tau Foo style. The broth is made from boiling ikan bilis and yellow bean. In the bowl of light and refreshing soup, you can find radish, homemade ngoh hiang, eggplant with cuttlefish paste and tofu.

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Pork Belly with Local Condiments 4.5/5

After the bowl of comforting oden, we are served Pork Belly with Local Condiments. The local condiments are homemade cincalok, achar and sambal chilli ikan bilis. This is to pair with the braised pork belly and have it together with the vegetable, like a wrap.

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Duck Meatball Curry

Wrapping up our savoury dishes is the Duck Meatball Curry. The duck meatball is made from a mix of breast and thigh meat. Water chestnut is also added for the additional crunch. The tasty red curry which is mildly spiced, complements the duck meatball excellently, as well as the Koshihikon Rice.

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Guava, Cucumber and Yuzu Sorbet 4.5/5

Before moving to dessert, we had the refreshing Guava, Cucumber and Yuzu Sorbet for palate cleanser.

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Pulut Hitam with Sake Lees Ice Cream 4/5

Even for our dessert, Pulut Hitam with Sake Lees Ice Cream incorporates both local and Japanese influences. The sake lees ice cream is a fermented curd from the remnants of sake making. The sweetness of the sake lees ice cream replaces the vanilla ice cream or coconut milk that is usually used in the traditional dessert.

I understand Mustard Seed is fully booked until end of the year already. Do check out his website if you are planning to make a booking. Good luck in making a reservation.


Mustard Seed Pop Up
Blk 121 Potong Pasir Ave 1
Singapore 350121
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Potong Pasir (NE Line)

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

The Beef Station @ The Venue Shoppes - New Beef Noodle Place In Potong Pasir

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For some reason, the Original Orchard Emerald Beef Noodles which opened at The Venue Shoppes has changed its name to The Beef Station. It left me a bit confused but one thing for sure, they are not associated with each other. I have verified my suspicious with the franchisor but we will leave thing as it is for now.

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Mix Beef Noodle Soup 3.8/5

During my visit in the late afternoon on a weekend, the place is crowded. Ordering here is the fast food style. You place your order with the cashier and made payment. The cashier will give you a buzzer, and when food is ready, you collect your order from the collection point.

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I tried the Mix Beef Noodles Soup ($9) which comes with slice beef, tendon, tripe and beef balls. The portion is quite generous as you can see from the photo. Customers can also choice from the 4 different type of noodles - Thick Beehoon, Yellow Noodle, Thin Egg Noodle or Kway Tiao. While the soup was sweet, I felt that it lacked depth in it. The chilli sauce on the hand it pretty good, it has that spiciness and tang which go well with ingredients.

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Hainanese Beef Noodle 3.8/5

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The Hainanese Beef Noodle ($7) is pretty decent too. Drenched in a dark and gooey gravy, it once again comes with generous slices of beef. For me the dry version fares better than the soup version. However I think it can be better. I have tried other places whereby salted vegetable and peanuts are added, which I thought helps to elevate the whole appreciate of the bowl of noodles.

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Besides the traditional beef noodle dishes, the restaurant also offers other noodle dishes such as beef brisket hor fun, spicy mala beef noodle, fish beehoon soup, curry mix beef noodle and nyonya laksa. On weekend there are even special such as the crayfish laksa and oxtail stew with rice.


The Beef Station
The Venue, Shoppes
2 Tai Thong Crescent
#01-05
Singapore 347836
Tel: +65 63849149
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Potong Pasir (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Potong Pasir MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk down Upper Serangoon Road towards Tai Thong Crescent. Walk to The Venue. Walk to the other end of the building facing Macpherson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Zheng Yi Hainanese Beef Noodles @ Macpherson Road - A Singapore Hawker Master

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Located in the nondescript coffeeshop at the junction of Macphereson Road and Tai Thong Crescent is Zheng Yi Hainanese Beef Noodles. The stall is run by Madam Hong Siew Fong and her son Roy Phua. I have seen numerous posting of this gem and I am probably one of the last few foodies to visit the stall.

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Mixed Beef Noodle Dry 4/5

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First, I had the Mixed Beef Noodle Dry ($6) which is drenched in a thick and gooey gravy. With the flavourful gravy coating each strand of the noodle, this is a bowl of slurping goodness. Buried underneath the bowl of goodness are beef slices, beef tripe, beef tendons and beef balls, topped with spring onions, peanuts, fried shallots and salted vegetables. Unlike the soup version, this has a nutty finishing from the peanuts.

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Mixed Beef Noodle Soup 4.2/5

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I personally preferred the Mixed Beef Noodle Soup ($6) more compared to the dry version. I could taste the sweetness and robustness of the beef stock amidst the light and slightly cloudy soup. It allows me to appreciate the flavour of the beef more, not being masked by the richness of the thick gravy as in the dry version.

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Most people go to Tai Thong Crescent for the River South (Hoe Nam) Noodles House prawn noodles or Lao Zhong Zhong ngoh hiang. So next time if you are in the area, don't forget to check out the beef noodles too.


Zheng Yi Hainanese Beef Noodles
Kin Seng Coffeeshop
47 Tai Thong Crescent
Singapore 347867
Nearest MRT: Potong Pasir (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 6pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Potong Pasir MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk down Upper Serangoon Road. Turn left onto Tai Thong Crescent. Walk to the corner of Tai Thong Crescent and Macpherson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Sheng Kee Cooked Food @ Geylang Bahru - The Soya Sauce Chicken Was A Disappointment

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I have known about Sheng Kee Cooked Food at Geylang Bahru Food Centre before it moves to the nearby coffeeshop at block 66 when the food centre is closed for renovation. In fact, I have asked my wife who works in the area about the stall but she has told me not to waste my calories. Hence I have never bother to check it out until recently when a group of foodie friends visited the stall. They seemed to have different opinions about the soya sauce chicken.

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Soya Sauce Chicken Noodle 2.8/5

I took the opportunity on a weekend to visit the stall at around 3pm. There was no queue at the stall. I ordered a plate of the Soya Sauce Chicken Noodle ($3/$4). I observed how the stall prepared my bowl of noodles and I was disappointed. The stall actually pre-chopped the chicken into many different portions and let it rest on a tray (don't know for how long). The stall owner then took a piece of it and chopped it up into smaller pieces for my bowl of noodles.

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Soya Sauce Chicken Noodle 2.8/5

I am not sure whether is it because my chicken has been resting for too long on the tray, it was rather dry. Compared to other soya sauce chicken I tried, this is also bland. Even the noodle was over cooked and soaky. I actually left half the bowl untouched.

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Maybe taste is really subjective. Maybe I visited the place on a bad day. Maybe I did not get to eat their freshly cooked chicken. Maybe I should trust my wife's opinion. Be it what is the reason, my visit was a disappointing one.


Sheng Kee Cooked Food
Pin Yu Xuan Pavillion
Blk 66 Kallang Bahru
#01-473
Singapore 330066
Nearest MRT: Geylang Bahru (DT Line), Potong Pasir (NE Line), Lavender (EW Line), Kallang (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 10am - 5pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Geylang Bahru MRT station. Take Exit. Walk to junction of Kallang Bahru and Geylang Bahru. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Potong Pasir MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Potong Pasir MRT station (Stop ID 60269). Take bus number 107 or 853. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about. 12 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Lavender MRT station (Stop ID 01311). Take bus number  61, 107 or 175. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

4) Alight at Kallang MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop opposite block 2C along Lorong 1 Geylang (Stop ID 80101). Take bus number 26. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Friday, August 26, 2016

River South (Hoe Nam) Noodles House (河南肉骨大蝦面) @ Tai Thong Crescent - Super Shiok Prawn Noodle

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River South (Hoe Nam) Noodles House (河南肉骨大蝦面) is a well known prawn noodle stall in Macpherson area which was first established in 1971. I probably should not labelled it as a stall as they owned the entire coffeeshop selling the popular prawn noodles. Over the years, a simple bowl of prawn noodle has included more variety to suit the taste and request of customers such as pork ribs, pig tails, pig intestines and even baby abalone.

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Prawn Noodle Soup with Pig Tails 4.2/5

There is around 10 variety of prawn noodles available at the stall. First I tried the Prawn Noodle Soup with Pig Tails ($5.50/$7.50/$10). I had the medium size at $7.50 which comes with 3 huge prawns and succulent pig tails. I like the fact that the prawns are peeled, leaving on the head and tail. It allows for easy consumption and at the same time enhanced the presentation. The cloudy soup was sweet and robust with the beautiful prawny flavour. If you need a further kick to the soup, you can help yourself to the chilli powder on the table.

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Prawn Noodle Dry with Pork Ribs 4.5/5

Beside the prawn noodle soup with pig tails, I also tried the Prawn Noodle Dry with Pork Ribs ($5.50/$7.50/$10). The noodle and soup is served separately. I find the soup tasted sweeter compared to the prawn noodle soup version. I suspect this is because of the noodle in the soup diluting it, reducing the sweetness. The other highlight of the dry version is the chilli sauce and fried shallot that enhanced the whole enjoyment of the dish.

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Actually this is not my first visit to the stall. I tried to check out the place on several occasions but I have ended in disappointment. Not sure why but it was closed during my previous visits. It seems like they don't really follow their business hours. Hence do prepare for disappointment if you plan to check out the place.


River South (Hoe Nam) Noodles House
(河南肉骨大蝦面)
31 Tai Thong Crescent
Singapore 347859
Tel: +65 62819293
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Potong Pasir (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 6am - 430pm, 6pm - 430am
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Potong Pasir MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk down Upper Serangoon Road. Turn left onto Tai Thong Crescent. Continue on Tai Thong Crescent and walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Monday, January 18, 2016

The Ugly Cake Shop @ GB Point (Kallang Bahru)

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Started as a home bakery, owner and baker Lisa quit her corporate job a few years back to concentrate on her baking at a licensed central kitchen in Ang Mo Kio. With the encouraging online orders and limited kitchen space, The Ugly Cake Shop took the bold step and moved into GB Point at Kallang Bahru, having its own cafe space offering its signature cupcakes and cakes.

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Do not expect any latte art or pretty instagrammable cafe food dishes at The Uglly Cake Shop. The Ugly Cake Shop is still very much focus on her bakes while the cafe space provides a convenient sitting area for guests that needs a break, to enjoy their cupcakes and cakes.

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Juliana

 If you have not known, the cupcakes at The Ugly Cake Shop are named after the owner's favourite people such as Juliana (Salted Caramel with Sea Salt Flakes),  Melissa (Strawberry, Rum & Dark Chocolate).

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Melissa

Other cupcakes available are Zesty Zee (Lemon), Jamie (Earl Grey), Sally (Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate). However the most popular cupcake is the Big Daddy (Super Chocolatey with Nutella & Valrhona), which is not in the picture. As you probably would have guessed, it is sold out.

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Zesty Zee, Jamie, Sally 

The cupcakes at The Ugly Cake Shop ranges from $3.80 to $4.50.

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Desmond

For a twist to the usual cupcake is Desmond, a grilled cupcake. The butter base cupcake is grilled and served with orange blossom cream and cherry compote. Do note that this is a special item and is not always available. Please check with the cafe.

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With a kind heart and a vision to feed the poor. Lisa has pledged and donates 20% of its proceeds towards buying meat, eggs and other much-needed protein sources for the kids in Shallom School, a school set up by Brazilian missionaries and supported by Agape Baptist Church. Every baked good you purchase from The Ugly Cake Shop will help to supplement their meals!


The Ugly Cake Shop
GB Point
535 Kallang Bahru
#01-06
Singapore 339351
Tel: +65 82288300
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT; Geylang Bahru (DT Line), Potong Pasir (NE Line), Lavender (EW Line), Kallang (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 10am - 7pm
Fri-Sat: 10am - 8pm
(Closed on Sun & PH)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Geylang Bahru MRT station. Take Exit. Walk to junction of Kallang Bahru and Geylang Bahru. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Potong Pasir MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Potong Pasir MRT station (Stop ID 60269). Take bus number 107 or 853. Alight 3 stops later. Cross the road. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about. 12 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Lavender MRT station (Stop ID 01311). Take bus number  61, 107 or 175. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to junction of Kallang Bahru and Geylang Bahru. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

4) Alight at Kallang MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop opposite block 2C along Lorong 1 Geylang (Stop ID 80101). Take bus number 26. Alight 3 stops later. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Friday, June 1, 2012

Gu Ma Jia (姑妈家) @ Sennett Estate

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After Macpherson hawker centre has been torn down, I have not been back to Sennett Estate. Little did I know that along the stretch of Tai Thong Crescent, there are quite a number of hidden gems. Among them is Gu Ma Jia (姑妈家) Restaurant near the entry of Tai Thong Crescent. This gem was nominated in Food Fest 2010 Top 10 Favourite Restaurant.

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Crispy Bean-jal 4/5

A lot of people do not like to eat brinjal but the Crispy Bean-Jal ($12, $18, $24) will probably change their mind. The brinjal was thinly sliced and fried to crisp. It was coated with a special made sweet sauce with a tab of spiciness. Even not blind folded, I could tell that I am eating brinjal.

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Kyoto Pork Ribs 4/5

The Kyoto Pork Ribs ($20) was served wrapped in aluminum foil. The aluminum foil was drenched with rose wine and ignited with fire upon servicing allowing the aroma to infuse into the sauteed pork. The mixed of soury and sweetness made the dish very delectable.

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Assam Fish Head 4.8/5

The signature Assam Fish Head ($25) definitely packed a punch. According to the owner, the red snapper fish head is hand picked from the market daily. She also told us that they already mild the spiciness after feedback from customers. The perfect balance of flavours of the assam fish head definitely is the best I have eaten and it is a must try.

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Hot Plate Sambal Seabass 3.8/5

Serving a deep fried Seabass on a hot plate is a bit weird to me. I would preferred it to be steamed rather than deep fried. Nevertheless, the Hot Plate Sambal Seabass ($25) was lovely with the sambal sauce. If only it was a bit spicer would be nice.

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Oyster Omelette 4.5/5

This is the most generous Oyster Omelette ($12) I have ever eaten. The oyster was big and fresh. Interestingly, it came with sambal sauce which married very well with the omelette.

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Prawn Roll 4/5

The huge self made Prawn Roll ($8 for 8pc, $16 for 16pc) was crisp on the outside and meaty in the inside with a hint of crunchy texture from the chestnuts.

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Special Made Tofu with Lingzhi Mushroom 4.5/5

The Special Made Tofu with Lingzhi Mushroom ($12) is made by the chef using egg and soya bean. The Tofu was silky smooth and with the savoury sauce, the simple tofu dish was simply delish!

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Thai Style Beancurd 3.8/5

Compared to the Special Made Tofu, the Thai Style Beancurd ($6 for 6pc) was firmer and less silky as the beancurd was bought from the market and not self made. Nevertheless, the sweet thai sauce gave the bland beancurd a lovely dimension.

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Cereal Sotong with Curry Flavour 3.8/5

The Cereal Sotong with Curry Flavour ($20, $30, $40) was rather unique. The curry leaves lifted the flavour to another level.  However I thought the cereal was a bit bitter not sure whether it was over done. I preferred the cereal to be sweeter with a buttery taste.

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Butter Baked Salted Egg Sri Lanka Crabs 4.2/5

The big and succulent Butter Baked Salted Egg Sri Lanka Crabs (seasonal price) was simply finger licking good. I like the dry version of the butter baked salted egg crabs as it was not messy to eat with. The crab meat was also sweet, firm and juicy.

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Herbal Chicken Soup 4.2/5

I enjoyed the Herbal Chicken Soup ($8.80) a lot. Although the bowl of soup was packed with herbs, it didn't taste bitter. The soup was light and refreshing.

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Black Glutinuos with Ice Cream 4/5

Wrapping up the beautiful dinner was the Black Glutinuos with Ice Cream ($4) dessert. Black Glutinuos is one of my favourite desserts. Instead of coconut milk, the vanilla ice cream was a good alternative and also act as a sort of sweetner to complete the dish.

Gu Ma Jia
Sennett Estate
45 Tai Thong Crescent
Singapore 347866
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sg.gumajia
Website: http://www.gumajia.com.sg
Nearest MRT: Potong Pasir (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
Alight at Potong Pasir MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk along Upper Serangoon road towards the row of shophouses. Turn left into Tai Thong Crescent and walk to the end of the road. Journey time about 5 minutes.