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Ants climbing a tree (蚂蚁上树)

This recipe ‘ants climbing a tree’ (蚂蚁上树) is written in response to the request from my readers.

Among all the well-known names like mapo tofu, dan dan noodles, and dry-fried beef, ‘ants climbing a tree’ is relatively less recognized outside of China, as it is tagged with a peculiar name that no one can figure out what is it unless you have tried it. 

Ants climbing a tree is the name given to stir-fry glass noodles with minced pork and garlic sprouts (or other similar vegetables). The name is derived from its resemblance to the ants (the bit and pieces of minced meat) climbing up the tree branches (the piled up glass noodles) passing by the leaves (the green scallions) along the way. The Chinese like to coin the name of dishes with an imaginary phrase, and for sure, unlike other special cuisines with real ants, there is none in this recipe!

The flavor of Cantonese cuisine is totally different from Szechuan as a result of the diversity of culture and eating habits between the two provinces. 

Ants climbing a tree 蚂蚁上树 is stir-fry glass noodles with minced pork and garlic sprouts (or other similar vegetables).  The name is derived from its resemblance to the ants (the bit and pieces of minced meat) climbing up the tree branches (the piled up glass noodles) passing by the leaves (the green garlic sprouts or leek) along the way.

As a Cantonese, I have somehow hooked on the hot and spicy combination of the essential seasoning ingredients in Szechuan cuisine, such as Doubanjiang, Szechuan peppercorns, and chili oil. This combination is so enticing and drool-worthy that I have learned how to cook Szechuan food so that I can enjoy it at home. 

Ants climbing a tree is relatively mild among other hot and tongue-numbing Szechuan food such as hot-pot or mala noodles, and therefore easy to please every palate. 

I ditch my trusted cast iron wok for cooking with a frying pan recently. This is because I realized that half of my readers are living outside of Asia, which may not be convenient (and not possible in some situations) to cook with a wok. The frying pan is as good as the wok for most of the Asian dishes except a few that specifically require to prepare with intense heat. 

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Different names for the glass noodles

Glass noodles are the main ingredient of ants climbing a tree, which there is no substitute for. It has a crunchy texture and turns translucent after cooking, which resembles mini glass tubes. That is why it gets translated in English as glass noodles or cellophane noodles. It is produced with mung beans and hence also called mung bean noodles or mung bean vermicelli. If you are new to these noodles, you can show the two Chinese words (粉丝)to the shop owner to ensure you get the correct item. 

How to cook Ants Climbing A Tree

Here is the detailed information on how to stir-fry glass noodles.

1. Soak the glass noodles (cellophane noodles)

Glass noodles are dry and brittle. You need to prepare a pot of hot water and soak the noodles for fifteen minutes, then drain. The noodles will rehydrate and turn soft and translucent. Be careful not to soak it indefinitely in the water as the glass noodles will become soggy. 

Note: Although ants climbing a tree is cooked with glass noodles, it is eaten with steamed rice due to its savory flavor instead of considering ss a stand-alone noodle dish, although you can treat it as a separate noodle dish. 

2. Mince the meat 

Pork belly with some fat is the best for ants climbing a tree because it is juicier and the oil render (along with the flavor of the pork) while the glass noodles will absorb stir-frying. However, you can use chicken meat if you do not eat pork. 

It is easier to cut the meat in a semi-frozen state. Cut it into slices, then strips and then into small dice. Mince it for half a minute.

3. Prepare aromatics and vegetables 

There are a few unique ingredients for this recipe, which I want to explain briefly. 

Chili bean paste (also called Doubanjiang) is a unique sauce that is considered as the soul of Szechuan cuisine. The sauce is the result of prolonged fermentation of broad bean and soybean.

Szechuan chili oil is prepared with Szechuan peppercorn, dry chili pepper, star anise, cinnamon, and boiling cooking oil. You can make your own, but it is also available commercially.

Here are the steps :

  • Mince garlic and ginger coarsely. You do not have to mince it finely because it can burn quickly. 
  • Remove the seeds of the red chili and cut it into small pieces. 
  • Cut about three teaspoons full of thin scallion rings and set aside. 
  • Measure all the seasoning ingredients in the recipe. 

Now you are ready to start stir-frying 

4. Stir-fry the glass noodles

I will begin cooking by dry frying the meat. Dry frying is a standard cooking method, i.e., to fry the minced meat with minimum oil without adding other seasonings. 

Dry fry the pork 

This method serves two purposes. First, it browns the meat effectively to turn it aromatic. Secondly, it renders the oil from the fat, which to be used later to mix with the glass noodles. 

There is no need to marinate the meat because minced meat will contact and absorb the seasonings during stir-frying. 

High heat is counterproductive at this stage because it can burn the minced meat quickly. If you want to use high heat with the wok and high power burner like those in the Chinese restaurants, make sure to stir-fry swiftly and non-stop for only a short while, said less than a minute. However, I find that dry-fry over low to medium heat for a longer period yields a better result. 

Add the garlic ginger and red chili when the meat is about to cook. The ginger and garlic will ultimately get burnt if you add them to the pan before meat. 

Add the seasoning and water 

Once the garlic and ginger become aromatic, add the seasoning. The chili bean paste and chili oil provide the foundation of the signature Szechuan flavor. The light soy sauce is to provide more umami, while dark soy sauce will add an attractive color to the dish. You also need some sugar to balance the flavor and add salt if necessary.

Now pour some water into the pan to combine all the seasonings. The amount of water depends on whether you want more sauce or prefer a dry version. I add 125ml (half a cup) of water to it, which is wet enough but not drenching with sauce when served. 

Stir-fry the glass noodles 

1. Place the drain mung bean noodles into the pan on top of the bed of minced pork and sauces. The glass noodles tend to stick to the pan or wok if you let them from touching the surface before absorbing the sauce (of course not the case if you use a non-stick pan.) It should be done over low heat and let the glass noodles absorb the gravy slowly.

2. When the glass noodles absorb most of the sauce, mix the noodles with the minced meat thoroughly. 

3. Add the scallions to the pan and have a few quick mixes. 

4. Check if there is still any sauce not absorbed in the pan. Dish out when there is still a small amount of gravy remaining, as the glass noodles will continue to soak up the sauce after serving.

ants climbing a tree thumbnail

Ants climbing a tree

Yield: 2 portions
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

The recipe ants climbing a tree (蚂蚁上树) is written in response to the request from my readers.

Among all the well-known names like mapo tofu, dan dan noodles, and dry-fried beef, 'ants climbing a tree' is relatively less recognized outside of China, as it is tagged with a peculiar name that no one can figure out what is it unless you have tried it.

Ingredients

Instructions

    1. Soak the glass noodles in hot water for fifteen minutes. ants climbing a tree - glass noodles
    2. Loosen the noodles and drain. Chinese vegetable soup - strain
    3. Mince the meat and set aside. ants climbing a tree - pork
    4. Coarsely mince the garlic, ginger, and chili. ants climbing a tree - chili
    5. Cut the scallion into thin rings. ants climbing a tree - scallions
    6. Place the minced pork to the pan and stir-fry to render the lard.ants climbing a tree - stir fry pork
    7. Once the pork becomes fragrant, add the garlic, ginger, chili., chili bean paste and chili oil,light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, salt, sugar. Turn down the heat and stir-fry until the chili oil begins to separate from the bean paste. ants climbing a tree - add seasonings
    8. Add the water (or stock). ants climbing a tree - water
    9. Add the glass noodles and let it absorb the sauce. Stir-fry over medium heat for half a minute until the glass noodles are cooked and soft.  ants climbing a tree - add noodles
    10. Finally, add the scallions. Have a few quick stir. ants climbing a tree - add scallions
    11. Ready to serve. ants climbing a tree - ready to serve
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1235Total Fat: 58gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 30gCholesterol: 151mgSodium: 3625mgCarbohydrates: 119gFiber: 10gSugar: 57gProtein: 63g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix on 2/27/2020

Paul Ingham

Thursday 17th of March 2022

This version gives an authentic tasting recipe, absolutely delicious, we make it most weeks and love it. Thanks for posting such a great version.

KP Kwan

Friday 18th of March 2022

Thank you, Paul, and great to know that you love it.

Honor B Gosch

Thursday 2nd of April 2020

So yum! Thank you for posting such detailed instructions for each recipe. I was able to make this during the COVID quarantine in Los Angeles, although I didn't have the Szechuan chili oil. I'm looking forward to trying out a lot of your recipes and I hope that you and your family/loved ones are staying safe during this time.

KP Kwan

Thursday 2nd of April 2020

Thank you for trying my recipe. Fully understand, you may not be able to get everything in the recipe at this time. Just get the best out of it. Take care. We are lockdown in Kuala Lumpur too.

Paula Lye

Saturday 29th of February 2020

One of my favorite dishes. My mother's family was from Kwangchow....moved to British Guiana back in the day and I'm 4th generation. We ate this growing up and I still cook it, minus the sichuan bean paste and chili oil...both interesting additions which I shall try. We simply know it as "Funcee with pork" but I love the name "Ants climbing a Tree" Lovely to see you take an old tradional cantonese dish and give it new life with some Sichuan spice. Good for you!

KP Kwan

Sunday 1st of March 2020

Hi Paula, Great to know that you still carry on cooking the traditional cuisine pass down from your mother until today. Enjoy! KP Kwan

KP Kwan

Friday 28th of February 2020

Hi, this is KP Kwan. I am happy to see you in this comment area, as you have read through my recipe. I am pleased to reply to any questions and comments as soon as possible.

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