(Photo: CGTN)

Lanzhou Beef Noodle Association said it plans to apply for the noodles' entry to the National Intangible Cultural Heritage. 

Chairman Ma Limin said the association would also offer vocational education opportunities to aspirants, who are interested in making a career in the industry. 

He said despite a rich history, there are not enough people in the beef noodle industry. 

The association, he said, wants to train the people through two years of higher education course in a bid to promote the food culture and brand.

“The development of Lanzhou beef noodles should uniform the standards, increase protection of the brand, find the human talent and promote the new image of the Lanzhou beef noodles,” he was quoted in The Paper news as saying. 

The students will also learn hotel management, service, English language.

“The development of Lanzhou beef noodle still faces many problems such as poor service and low consciousness of branding.” Ma told The Paper news.

He suggested that the noodles should be developed through chain restaurants and brand promotion. 

Lanzhou beef noodles star not only in China but also in the world. The development of Lanzhou beef noodles has connected Lanzhou people’s life, culture, and economy and has now become an important industry in China.

The beef noodles originate in Lanzhou city, northwest China’s Gansu Province, which has a history of 200 years. 

In the beginning, the Lanzhou beef noodles were just a way of making a living. The most beef noodle restaurants had a weak business because of poor environment and service.

In the recent years, the restaurants improved interior design. There are now 1,500 restaurants in Lanzhou City and over 2,000 in Beijing, the capital of China.