Wu Shun-hsing, chef of Mr. Wu Beef Noodle Restaurant in Yunlin County, which won the "most popular" award, said that Taiwan-produced beef, onion, ginger and eight herbs cooked on a "tender fire" for hours are the secrets of his delicacy.

The Douko Literacy Restaurant, which was established 30 years ago in Taoyuan in northern Taiwan, was awarded the "most creative" prize.

The "best taste" prizes went to My Kitchen Restaurant in Taipei County, Kungfu Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodle Restaurant in Taipei City, Tienhsin Beef Noodle restaurant in Miaoli County, Hemeichun Beef Noodle Restaurant in Changhua County, and Liangchin Jerk Restaurant in the offshore island of Kinmen.

The Chichou Hand Pulled Noodle Restaurant in Yilan County in northeastern Taiwan won the "best performance" prize and Pingtung Waihui Restaurant in Pingtung County in southern Taiwan snagged the "best visual effect" award.

Meanwhile, 100 bowls of free beef noodles were offered on a first-come first-served basis to participants wearing clothes with any type of cow print design. On Sunday, the focus will be on the contests for the "best chef" awards for beef noodles stewed with soy sauce, without soy sauce and with the best creative.

It is the fifth time that the Taipei City government has organized the festival to promote beef noodles, one of the most popular dishes in Taiwan.

(By Jian Chen & Bear Lee)