Ants Climbing a Tree Recipe(Ma Yi Shang Shu/蚂蚁上树)

Ants Climbing a Tree is a classic Sichuan dish featuring vermicelli noodles and ground pork as the main ingredients. The noodles are tender and the pork is savory, creating a rich and satisfying texture with layers of flavor. This dish is beloved for its unique and distinctive taste.

4 Reviews
4 Comments
POSTED:06/09/2024
Level:Medium
Yield:2-3 servings
Total:40 min
(includes chilling time)
Active:20 min

Many of you have expressed interest in making "Ants Climbing a Tree" at home but are worried about the complexity. To help, I’ve put together an authentic recipe for this dish, complete with detailed tips and tricks to ensure you can make it perfectly every time.


1.About "Ants Climbing a Tree"

"Ants Climbing a Tree," also known as minced meat with vermicelli, is a classic traditional dish from Sichuan Province. The name comes from the way the minced meat clings to the vermicelli, resembling ants climbing on branches. The exact origins of this dish are difficult to trace, but there’s a legend linking the name to Dou E, a character in a play by Guan Hanqing. It's said that Dou E made this dish by stir-frying finely chopped pork with vermicelli for her mother-in-law, who loved it and gave it the name "Ants Climbing a Tree."

The dish's main ingredients are vermicelli (or glass noodles) and minced meat, with additional flavor from carrots, ginger, scallions, and fermented bean paste. The final dish has a light and smooth texture, with a delicious flavor and a vibrant red color, making it a unique culinary experience.


2.Which Vermicelli to Use for Ants Climbing a Tree

For Ants Climbing a Tree, it is generally recommended to use sweet potato vermicelli. Sweet potato vermicelli is known for its firmness and elasticity, offering a smooth and chewy texture.


3. Can You Substitute Beef for Pork?

Yes, you can substitute beef for pork. Traditionally, Ants Climbing a Tree is made with pork, but if you don't eat pork due to religious reasons or personal preference, you can use other types of meat, such as beef or chicken.


4. Ingredients

To make Ants Climbing a Tree, you'll need the following ingredients:

Sweet potato vermicelli

Pork belly

Chopped scallions

Minced garlic

Chili peppers

Light soy sauce

Dark soy sauce

Hot water

Minced ginger

Green peppers

Doubanjiang (fermented bean paste)

Oyster sauce

Chicken powder


5. How to Soften Sweet Potato Vermicelli

Here’s how to soften sweet potato vermicelli:

Place the sweet potato vermicelli in a large bowl.

Add room-temperature water, making sure the water fully covers the vermicelli.

Let the vermicelli soak, the time needed depends on the thickness, typically around 20-30 minutes.

Gently stir the vermicelli with your hand to help it absorb water more evenly.

Once the vermicelli is soft, drain and rinse it, then it’s ready for cooking.

Important Tip:

Avoid using hot water to soak the vermicelli, as it can affect the texture, making it less chewy.


6. What to Pair with Ants Climbing a Tree

In China, Ants Climbing a Tree is typically served with rice, which complements the tender texture of the vermicelli and the savory, spicy flavor of the minced meat.

Besides rice, you can pair this dish with a light vegetable salad or stir-fried greens to add more texture and nutritional balance to the meal.

For those who prefer stronger flavors, a refreshing side of cold pickled vegetables can help balance the spiciness of the dish, offering a more complex and enjoyable dining experience.


7. More Delicious Vermicelli Recipes

Homemade Rice Noodle Stir Fry

Lo Mein Noodles

Xinjiang Stir-Fried Rice Noodles

Suan La Fen (Hot and Sour Noodle Soup, 酸辣粉)


Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of Ants Climbing a Tree, let's get started on making this delicious dish together! If you enjoy our recipes, be sure to follow us—we'll keep bringing you more mouthwatering dishes.

INGREDIENTS

MAIN INGREDIENTS

  • 150g Sweet Potato Vermicelli
  • 100g Pork Belly

ACCESSORIES

  • 5g Chopped Green Onion
  • A suitable amount of Minced Garlic
  • 3 Small Chili Peppers
  • A suitable amount of Minced Ginger
  • 2 Green Chili Peppers

SEASONINGS

  • 2 tablespoons Light Soy Sauce
  • 1/2 tablespoon Dark Soy Sauce
  • 1 small bowl of Hot Water
  • 1 tablespoon Doubanjiang (Fermented Bean Paste)
  • 1 tablespoon Oyster Sauce
  • A pinch of Chicken Powder

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Prepare all the ingredients:

Clean and mince 100g of pork belly into ground meat.

Soak 150g of sweet potato noodles in water for 20 minutes until softened, then cut into large sections and set aside.

Finely chop 5g of green onions, and mince the required amount of ginger and garlic. Clean and dice 3 small chili peppers and 2 green peppers.

Prepare ingredients: ground pork, sweet potato noodles, green onions, ginger, garlic, chili peppers, green peppers.

STEP 2

Heat a wok and add cooking oil.

Once the oil is hot, add the minced green onions, ginger, and garlic.

Stir-fry over medium heat until fragrant.

Add the ground pork belly to the wok.

Stir-fry green onions, ginger, garlic, and pork belly in hot oil in a wok.

STEP 3

Stir-fry the ground pork over medium heat, breaking it apart.

Cook until the fat is rendered and the meat changes color.

Add 1 tablespoon of doubanjiang (bean paste).

Stir-fry over medium heat until the oil turns red.

Stir-fry ground pork, add doubanjiang, cook until oil turns red.

STEP 4

Add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.

Add 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce and stir to combine.

Stir well.

Pour in 1 small bowl of hot water and turn the heat to high.

Combine soy sauce and oyster sauce. Stir and add hot water.

STEP 5

Add a small amount of dark soy sauce to the sauce to enhance the color.

Add dark soy sauce for enhanced color in the sauce.

STEP 6

Once the sauce comes to a boil, add the soaked sweet potato noodles.

Add soaked sweet potato noodles to boiling sauce.

STEP 7

Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 5 minutes.

Simmer for 5 minutes with pot covered.

STEP 8

Once the sauce has thickened and reduced, uncover the pot.

Stir briefly, then add the diced green and chili peppers.

Sprinkle in a small amount of chicken powder.

Quickly stir everything together until evenly mixed.

Uncover pot, stir, add peppers, sprinkle chicken powder, mix well.

STEP 9

Stir for a short while until the chili peppers are cooked through, then transfer to a serving plate.

Cook chili peppers until tender, then serve.

STEP 10

Your delicious Ants Climbing a Tree is ready to enjoy!

Ants Climbing a Tree dish is ready to indulge in!

Recipe analyzer

  • Recipes: Ants Climbing a Tree Recipe(Ma Yi Shang Shu/蚂蚁上树)
  • Main Ingredients:7
  • Servings per recipe:1
  • Servings size:484 g
Nutritional Summary of Recipe
Amount per 480 g= 1 serving(s)
  • Energy (calories):673 kcal
    53%
  • Protein:17.62 g
    45%
  • Fat:54.23 g Why gray?
    111%
  • Carbohydrates:34.89 g
    60%
Calorie breakdown
  • Protein: 9%
    60 kcal
  • Fat: 73%
    488 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 19%
    125 kcal
The chart shows the percentage of calories intake (energy) coming from the respective macronutrients (fats, protein and carbohydrates).
Omega 6 : Omega 3
1:1
20:1
10:1
Both fatty acids are essential, but nowadays the majority of western diets include excessive amounts of Omega 6 acid.

The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.

4 REVIEWS

Review
Your rating:
CulinaryCanvasCreationsOctober 04, 2024

Is there an alternative to sweet potato vermicelli?
reply:
October 07, 2024
You can use rice noodles, though the texture will differ slightly.
EpicureanEatsShowcaseSeptember 23, 2024

My family loved this dish! It tasted just like what we had at a restaurant.
FlavorFrenzySeptember 11, 2024

Can I substitute chicken for pork?
reply:
September 14, 2024
Yes, chicken works well. Just be sure to use ground chicken for similar texture.
SavorySensationsSeptember 07, 2024

This recipe is fantastic! The flavor balance is perfect—spicy and savory.
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