Neds Noodle Bar in Southampton named best takeaway in the UK

Neds Noodle Bar in Marlands Shopping Centre took the top spot at this year's Golden Chopstick Awards.

The popular restaurant was voted for by residents over a six-week period, with 49,500 votes registered across the total competition.

Neds was presented with the prize by chief judge Ken Hom at a glitzy ceremony in London, hosted by Gok Wan.

Owner James Breslaw was acknowledged for his personal investment, passion and dedication to the Asian cuisine and UK Hospitality industry over the last 20 years.

James Breslaw of Neds Noodle Bar

He and his business partner Roberto Marroni collectively have 50 years’ experience in the sector.

“We are thrilled at winning the Best Takeaway in the UK Award after 18 tough months for the whole hospitality industry, this is a massive pat on the back to us and testament to the work we put in before and during lockdown," said Mr Breslaw.

"True Asian noodles like this account for a very small proportion in the UK and it is this purity of taste and ingredient that is celebrated in this award, as well as the hard work and dedication of our staff who year in, year out, produce exceptional noodles – setting the standard for noodles across the world."

Neds Noodle Bar opens in Southampton's Marlands Shopping Centre. James Breslaw, Ellisha White and Farhat Abbas..

The Golden Chopstick Awards have become one of the largest and most prestigious celebrations of East and South East Asian food in the world.

Gok Wan MBE, co-founder and host of the awards said: “After the amazing success of our first two awards, we knew it was going to be a tall order to go bigger and better this year, but we feel we pulled it off. The Golden Chopsticks Awards has well and truly cemented itself into the culinary calendar.

"What an amazing night, bringing together the good and the great from the oriental food world in one room, with finalists covering the broad spectrum of E and SE Asian food from Chinese, Japanese and Thai to Vietnamese, Malaysian, Filipino and Korean. It was fantastic to see so many accomplished restaurateurs in the room, alongside the rising stars of the future.

"It was an honour to host what is now one of my favourite nights of the year."

The 20 award categories mark the excellence of both the restaurant sector and contribution made by suppliers, food writers and individuals to the industry’s growth.