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!
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.
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:
1. Soak 2 piece of dried bean thread noodles in water for 15 minutes before cooking.
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.
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.
4. Then, add 1 cup of water and 2 of soaked bean thread noodles. Spread the noodles and cover a lid for couple minutes.
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.
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:
Subscribe Oh My Food Recipes to get our new recipes delivered straight to your inbox! Follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the latest updates.
Ma Yi Shang Shu (螞蟻上樹)
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.
Leave a Reply