By The China Post

The 2010 Specialty Night Market Selection Event, held by the Tourism Bureau, took place yesterday, with President Ma Ying-jeou and Premier Wu Den-yi on hand to present seven night markets nationwide with awards for their distinctive attributes. The event, held at the Red House Theater in Ximen, Taipei City, was the grand finale to the Tourism Bureau's promotion of the nation's night markets. The night market promotion started with travel agents and other tourism industry insiders selecting 10 major night markets nationwide.

Food bloggers and local experts scrupulously judged the remaining 10 night markets according to categories such as “most environmentally friendly,” “most visitor-friendly,” “most interesting,” “easiest to shop,” and “best food.”

Kaohsiung City's Liuho Night Market and Taipei City's Shilin Night Market tied for “most interesting.” Liuho Night Market was also the unanimous winner of all categories on the online poll earlier last week.

Miaokou Night Market in Keelung City won two awards, for most visitor friendly ��" a tie with Luodong Night Market ��" and sharing the “best food” category with Fengjia Night Market in Taichung City.

Taipei City's Huaxi Street Night Market single-handedly won the “easiest to shop” category, likely due to the fact that it is covered and therefore, not unencumbered by weather conditions.

The most surprising twist in the event was that none of the night markets qualified for “most environmentally friendly.” Taiwanese actress and food aficionado Chen Mei-feng, who helped reveal the winners, said night markets have improved their eco-friendliness since the olden days, but still need a little more work. Chen also encouraged everyone to bring his or her own silverware and chopsticks when dining on street foods.

Aside from presenting the awards, Ma and Wu lauded the Tourism Bureau's efforts in promoting night market culture.

“Eating at the night market is intrinsic to Taiwan culture,” said Ma, adding that it is a place where food and entertainment are accessible to all, where there is no dress code, no pretension, just the sight of people having a good time.

The president recalled fondly childhood memories on the bustling streets, when watermelon stands used to be just the right height for him to walk by and sneak a bite, forcing his parents to pay up for his ravenous whim.

Premier Wu Den-yi can attest to the nostalgia often attached to the familiar street scene, especially in terms of food. “When you are overseas, you don't dream of steak. What comes to mind are oyster omelets, Chinese meat balls ��" essentially, the night market delicacies.”