2025 Yunlin Braised Pork Rice Festival kicks off

(中央社訊息服務20251016 18:19:03)The annual Yunlin Braised Pork Rice Festival has begun. Registration is now open for the “2025 Yunlin Braised Pork Rice Competition,” offering a total prize pool of NT$90,000. On Dec. 6, the Yunlin Braised Pork Rice Festival will reveal all the winners, showcasing both local masters and top braised pork rice restaurants. 1,500 bowls of braised pork rice will also be served. County Magistrate Chang Li-shan (張麗善) invites all friends and family from around the country to join her at the Gukeng Green Tunnel Park to enjoy Yunlin’s tasty braised pork rice.

The Yunlin County Government held a press conference on Sept. 23 in the County Hall. County Magistrate Chang Li-shan, Director of the Agriculture Department Wei Sheng-de (魏勝德), County Councillors Lai Shu-nei (賴淑娞), Lai Ming-yuan (賴明源), Chien Tzu-fang (簡慈坊), Wang Chiu-chu (王秋足), Wang Yu-chi (王鈺齊), Xiluo Farmers Association Secretary-General Liao Chin-fu (廖錦富) and others invited the general public to join in this feast that combines food, culture and local characteristics.

County Magistrate Chang Li-shan stated that Yunlin County is Taiwan’s granary and the largest livestock, vegetable, and fruit center. The county government has held the Yunlin Braised Pork Rice Festival for five consecutive years to promote Yunlin County’s best rice, the finest soy sauce, and the safest and healthiest pork—the three essential ingredients for braised pork rice. Through the skillful hands of professional chefs, the highest quality and most delicious braised pork rice is cooked. The county government hopes to establish Yunlin’s own brand of braised pork rice through this event.

Magistrate Chang announced the official launch of the “2025 Yunlin Legendary Braised Pork Rice Competition” on Sept. 23. This year’s competition features two categories: the “Restaurant” and the “Individual.” Registration is open from now until Oct. 8. Whether renowned establishments or amateur chefs, the government sincerely invite everyone to showcase their creative culinary spirit and share their best-tasting braised pork rice.

In line with this year’s competition’s theme of featuring creative side dishes, Magistrate Chang gave a special cooking demonstration at the press conference alongside the stylish chef, Chef Chang Chiu-yung (張秋永). Using high-quality ingredients from Yunlin, they cleverly embellished the braised pork rice with creative side dishes, adding more flavors and the complementary charm to the main dish. This gave the traditional delicacy a new and diverse look, while also boosting the popularity of related agricultural products.

Representatives from the competition’s designated ingredient manufacturers were also invited to participate in the press event to showcase their various products, representing the three key elements of braised pork rice: rice, pork, and soy sauce. Last year’s champion in the restaurant category, Beigang Duck Ya Noodle Shop, was also invited to provide a sample of their braised pork rice for everyone to try first.

Director of the Agriculture Department Wei Sheng-de stated that the “2025 Yunlin Braised Pork Rice Competition” features a special theme of creative side dishes. Experts from around the country are invited to create delicious braised pork rice using high-quality local rice, pork, and soy sauce. They will also use local Yunlin ingredients to design braised pork rice side dishes, showcasing Yunlin’s finest products. This competition will allow Yunlin braised pork rice to be combined with side dishes to create unique variations that will delight eaters’ taste buds.

Director Wei added that in addition to receiving prizes and plaques, the winners of the competition will be joined on stage by the designated ingredient suppliers, who will also be honored during the award ceremony. This will not only enhance the reputation of the restaurants, but also promote the sales of Yunlin’s agricultural products of rice, pork, and soy sauce. Specialty braised pork rice restaurants in the county and amateur chefs from all over the country are welcome to sign up.