Officials have issued a plea asking people to stop visiting government offices to request the name change, according to local media.

The restaurant offered an all-you-can-eat sushi meal to anyone with the name Gui Yu or “salmon” on their ID card.

Unimpressed officials said the rush was wasting government time.

The offer began on Tuesday when sushi restaurant chain Akindo Sushiro said anyone with the Chinese characters in their name could get free food for themselves and five friends.

It led to dozens of people requesting a name change, the Taipei Times reported, adding that applicants pay around $3 (NT$80) for a new ID card and a registration certificate. (BBC)