NXXDS is bringing a fresh take on ramen and dumplings to Norwich, combining Japanese-inspired dishes with flavours and ingredients from around the world. Located within Yalm in the Royal Arcade, the non-traditional ramen and dumpling kitchen has been created by local chefs Francis Woolf and Tom Thornber, the team behind Woolf & Social. Rather than sticking closely to traditional recipes, NXXDS takes inspiration from different cuisines to create bowls, dumplings and sides that feel familiar while offering something a little different.
At the heart of NXXDS is a menu built around noodles, rice bowls and ramen, with each dish bringing together broths, ingredients and garnishes from different corners of the world. The approach gives the kitchen plenty of room to experiment, moving beyond the classic idea of what a bowl of ramen should be. One example is Mexican birria beef ramen, bringing the rich, slow-cooked flavours associated with birria into a warming bowl of noodles, while Korean flavours make an appearance through dishes such as gochujang pulled pork. It is this willingness to mix influences that gives NXXDS its identity, with the food remaining rooted in the comforting qualities of ramen and dumplings while taking inspiration from much further afield.
Dumplings are another important part of the menu, with the kitchen taking the same creative approach to fillings and combinations. The menu includes dishes such as cheeseburger potstickers, adding an unexpected twist to a familiar format, alongside karaage and other dishes designed for sharing. It makes the concept particularly suited to a casual meal with friends, where diners can order several plates and try different flavours rather than settling on just one dish. The result is a dining experience that feels relaxed rather than formal, with the food doing much of the talking.
The location inside Yalm gives NXXDS a natural home in the centre of Norwich. The Royal Arcade has long been part of the city’s independent food and retail scene, while Yalm brings together a range of food and drink concepts under one roof. For NXXDS, the setting works well with its informal approach. It is somewhere to drop in for a bowl of ramen, order a few plates to share or simply try something new without the formality of a traditional restaurant. The menu also caters for different dietary requirements, with vegan and vegetarian dashi options alongside gluten-free choices.
The concept has been shaped by Francis Woolf and Tom Thornber, whose experience with Woolf & Social has helped establish them within Norwich’s food scene. With NXXDS, the pair have created something that gives them more freedom to experiment, using the foundations of Japanese ramen and dumplings as a starting point rather than a strict set of rules. That might mean bringing the flavours of Mexican birria into a bowl of noodles, adding Korean-inspired flavours to pulled pork or creating a completely unexpected combination within a dumpling. It is an approach that gives the menu a sense of discovery and means there is plenty to explore beyond a single visit.
The NXXDS experience is deliberately straightforward, with the venue welcoming walk-ins and allowing diners to order using QR codes from their table or at the bar. There is no need to make the occasion overly formal, with the focus instead on good food, bold flavours and a relaxed setting in the heart of Norwich. For those looking for something warming, the ramen and noodle bowls offer plenty of comfort, while the dumplings, karaage and sharing dishes provide an opportunity to try several different flavours in one meal.
NXXDS arrives at a time when Norwich’s food scene continues to embrace independent kitchens and restaurants that are willing to experiment. Its combination of Japanese ramen and dumpling traditions with global flavours gives it a clear point of difference, while its location within Yalm makes it an easy addition to a day or evening spent in the city centre. Whether it is a bowl of birria beef ramen, Korean-inspired pulled pork, a selection of dumplings or something completely new, NXXDS offers a different way to experience familiar comfort food and gives diners another reason to explore what is being served inside the Royal Arcade.
Location: 22 The Royal Arcade, Norwich NR2 1PN