The Danes have now chosen the eight dishes, which are included in the final field to become the national dish.

Agriculture & Food Minister, Dan Jorgensen, said: "I am extremely pleased with the discussion, much has already been on Denmark's national dish. The competition is first and foremost about creating a popular discussion of our raw materials, food and meals. That said, it becomes really fun to see if the Danes choose hamburgers, apple bacon, fried herring or something else. I wish everyone a good madsnak and good food choices."

In the regional vote, nearly 19,000 Danes cast their votes on the web site. There has been a fierce battle for places in the national vote and some of the early favourites such as roast pork, meatballs, fish fillet and tartlets did not find their way to the final vote.

Mr Jorgensen added: "Personally, I wouldhave liked to see fish fillet with new Danish potatoes in the final. But it is an independent point that we have so many good dishes in Denmark, there are smoked personal favourites out in the semi-finals."

The eight dishes in the final are:

• Bornholm - Fried herring
• North Jutland - pork patties / rissoles with green peas
• Mid and West Jutland - Burning love (contains pork cubes)
• East Jutland - Sandwiches (includes liver pate)
• Jutland - Roast pork with parsley sauce
• Fyn - Æbleflæsk (contains smoked streaky bacon)
• Uttaranchal - fried pork chop [pictured above]
• Copenhagen - Hamburger steak with fried onions and fried egg

The eight final dishes included in a national vote that runs until 16 November and the Danish national dish will be named on 20 November.