Go Back
–+ servings
Ants Climbing a Tree

Delicious Ants Climbing a Tree: A Sichuan Noodle Delight

Ants Climbing a Tree is a nostalgic Sichuan dish featuring chewy noodles and savory minced pork.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Sichuan
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Noodles
  • 200 grams Mung Bean Thread Noodles or Sweet Potato Noodles as an alternative.
For the Aromatics
  • 2 stalks Scallions reserve some green tips for garnish.
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Ginger finely minced.
  • 3 cloves Fresh Garlic finely minced.
For the Flavor Base
  • 50 grams Yibin Suimiyacai dry-fried for flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese Roasted Rapeseed Oil or vegetable oil as a substitute.
  • 250 grams Fresh Ground Pork finely minced.
  • 3 tablespoons Chinese Light Soy Sauce Zhongba brand recommended.
  • 1 tablespoon Huangjiu/Liaojiu or any light cooking wine as needed.
  • 2 tablespoons Pixian Doubanjiang adds spice and flavor.
For the Finish
  • 1 cup Water or Stock adjust to keep everything moist.
  • to taste Ground Huajiao Sichuan pepper for aroma.
  • 1 teaspoon Toasted Sesame Oil optional.

Equipment

  • skillet
  • Cutting Board
  • Knife

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Soak noodles in cold water for 20-30 minutes for mung bean or warm water for sweet potato noodles until pliable.
  2. Finely mince the scallions, ginger, garlic, and yibin suimiyacai, reserving some scallion tips.
Cooking
  1. Warm a skillet and dry-fry preserved mustard greens until fragrant, then set aside.
  2. Heat Chinese roasted rapeseed oil in the same skillet, add minced pork, fry until fine, then stir in soy sauce and rice wine.
  3. Add remaining oil, then minced ginger and garlic; sauté until fragrant, add dry-fried yacai.
  4. Return minced pork, combine with doubanjiang, then add soaked noodles, covering with water or stock.
  5. Bring to a gentle boil, then cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes until noodles are cooked.
  6. Turn off heat, add reserved scallions and ground huajiao, mixing gently.
  7. Serve in a bowl, garnishing with scallion tips and optional sesame oil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 950mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 15mg

Notes

Perfectly mince ingredients for the best texture and presentation. Monitor liquid levels while cooking.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!