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    Home » Asian foods » Ma Yi Shang Shu

    Ma Yi Shang Shu

    Published: Jan 23, 2020 Modified: Jan 26, 2020 by Tracy O.This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Spicy and flavorable classic Sichuan ma yi shang shu (螞蟻上樹) or ants climbing a tree noodle dish is the best to go with rice. This ants climbing a tree recipe is simple and quick, it only takes 15 minutes!

    Love authentic Chinese food? Check out these Chinese eggplant & pork, cream corn chicken and scrambled egg & shrimp recipes too!

    Ma yi shang shu (螞蟻上樹) on a white plate (Ants climbing a tree)

    What is ma yi shang shu (螞蟻上樹)?

    It a classic Chinese Sichuan cuisine. Also, in Chinese the name literally translated as ants climbing a tree or ants on the tree.

    Why does it call ants climbing a tree?

    It is because the dish is made of ground meat and the meat is clinging to noodles. Therefore, it evokes an image of ants on a log.

    What are the ingredients in ants climbing a tree recipe?

    The main ingredients are ground pork, bean thread noodles, garlic, chili peppers and green onion. In this ma yi shang shu recipe, I like to add some homemade XO sauce because it gives more flavor to this dish.

    display ingredients for ants climbing a tree noodles (MA YI SHANG SHU 螞蟻上樹)

    Cooking tips for ma yi shang shu recipe (螞蟻上樹):

    • This dish is medium spicy. If you cannot handle spicy food. You don’t have to add extra chili peppers because XO sauce has some chili peppers.
    • Soak bean thread noodles in water for 15 minutes before cooking
    • Stir fried pork, garlic, chili peppers and make the sauce then add the soaked noodles. Cook the noodles until it’s soft and simmering a few minutes.

    FAQs:

    What kind of noodles do you use?

    Bean thread noodle, cellophane noodle or fensi (粉絲) is a small and thin noodles, they are glass noodles. Bean thread noodle is clear and transparent when it cooks because it made from mung bean starch. It sold as dried and need to soak them before using.

    Is fensi (粉絲) same as rice vermicelli?

    No, they are not the same. Rice vermicelli is made of rice and when it is cooked is white not clear and transparent.

    Instructions for how to make ants climbing a tree noodle dish:

    soaking bean thread noodles in water with a glass container

    1. Soak 2 piece of dried bean thread noodles in water for 15 minutes before cooking.

    sitr fry ground pork with garlic and chili peppers

    2. Put ¼ pound of ground pork into a non-stick pan and turn on medium fire to stir fry the pork. Then, add 4 cloves of minced garlic and 2 pieces of chili peppers.

    sauce with stir fry pork

    3. Stir fry the pork until it changes color. After that, add 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of sugar, ½ tablespoon of sesame oil and 2 tablespoons of homemade XO sauce. Keep stir fry them a little bit.

    fensi with stir fry pork in a pan

    4. Then, add 1 cup of water and 2 of soaked bean thread noodles. Spread the noodles and cover a lid for couple minutes.

    bean thread noodles with pork and green onion on top

    5. Keep mixing the noodles and let it cook until the sauce is absorbed by the noodles. After that, add green onion and mix them well.

    ants climbing a tree noodles on a chopsticks (Ma yi shang shu)

    Enjoy this delicious and spicy ma yi shang shu recipe! Also, check out these authentic steamed pork ribs, stir fry tomatoes eggs and stir fry garlic chives eggs recipes.

    You May Also Like These Recipes:

    • CHILI GARLIC SHRIMP
    • SWEET AND SOUR PORK
    • SOY SAUCE CHICKEN
    • AUTHENTIC BEEF AND BROCCOLI

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    ants climbing on a tree noodle dish on a plate

    Ma Yi Shang Shu (螞蟻上樹)

    Spicy and flavorable classic Sichuan ma yi shang shu dish is the best to go with rice. This ants on a tree recipe is simple and quick, it only takes 15 minutes!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Noodles, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 174kcal
    Author: Tracy O.

    Video

    Ingredients

    • 2 pieces Bean thread noodles
    • ¼ pound Ground pork
    • 4 cloves Garlic
    • 2 pieces Chili peppers (Suggest do not add if you cannot handle too spicy)
    • 1 cup Water
    • ½ tablespoon Sesame oil
    • 2 tablespoon s Oyster sauce
    • 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
    • 1 teaspoon Sugar
    • 2 tablespoons Homemade XO sauce

    Instructions

    • Soak 2 piece of dried bean thread noodles in water for 15 minutes before cooking.
    • Put ¼ pound of ground pork into a non -stick pan and turn on medium fire to stir fry the pork. Then, add 4 cloves of minced garlic and 2 pieces of chili peppers.
    • Stir fry the pork until it changes color. After that, add 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of sugar, ½ tablespoon of sesame oil and 2 tablespoons of homemade XO sauce. Keep stir fry them a little bit.
    • Then, add 1 cup of water and 2 of soaked bean thread noodles. Spread the noodles and cover a lid for couple minutes. 
    • Keep mixing the noodles and let it cook until the sauce is absorbed by the noodles. After that, add green onion and mix them well.

    Notes

    Cooking tips for ma yi shang shu (螞蟻上樹):

    • This dish is medium spicy. If you cannot handle spicy food. You don’t have to add extra chili peppers because xo sauce has some already.
    • Soak bean thread noodles in water for 15 minutes before cooking
    • Stir fried pork, garlic, chili peppers and make the sauce then add the soaked noodles. Cook the noodles until it’s soft and simmering a few minutes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 769mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 132IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Tracy O.
    About Me

    Welcome to Oh My Food Recipes, where you can find inspiration for meals or dinner ideas specialty Asian cuisines. Oh My Food Recipes is tried and tested recipes with step by step photo tutorials.... Read more!

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