A NEW noodle bar is set to open its doors in the heart of Southampton this week.

Neds Noodle Bar will be hosting an an intimate launch party upstairs in the Marlands Shopping Centre food court on April 25 with The Marlands VIP Balcony, for a small group of friends and business associates.

The healthier London noodle bar and hangout will give customers the chance to meet Founder James Breslaw, who is behind Neds Noodle Bar brand, and sample free food and drinks. The store will also offer dine-in, take-out or delivery, featuring Neds Noodle Boxes filled with Neds Noodles, filling, sauce and veggies. These also include a variety of starters such as Gyoza and Sizzling Calamari Strips, noodle soups, rice and salads.

Customers will also have the opportunity to see the bar in action from 5pm to 8pm and enjoy a venue where Asian culture can be experienced with foreign beers and music.

The first Neds Noodle Bar store was opened in 2000 by restaurateur James and Roberto Marroni, who fell in love with Oriental cuisine and flavours while backpacking together through Asia; the chain was also nominated for the ‘best noodles in the UK’ at the UK Golden Chopsticks Awards 2019.

As previously reported in the Echo, franchise partner Elnety Fernandez said the city has been "crying out for a healthy noodle place for a while and early interest in Neds Noodle Bar bodes well."