Homemade Dish from a Man's Kitchen: Salty, Spicy, and Addictively Delicious "Ants Climbing a Tree"

Text & Photos /Man’s Kitchen 1+1

Today I’m going to share with you a dish called “Ants Climbing a Tree.” I’m sure many of you have tried it before. It’s salty, fragrant, spicy, and the chewy texture of the cellophane noodles makes it a favorite for many. But do you know the origin of this classic dish?

It’s said to be related to Dou E, a character in the works of Yuan Dynasty playwright Guan Hanqing. Legend has it that one time, while cooking for her mother-in-law, Dou E had no money at home, so she got creative with the ingredients on hand and stir-fried this dish. Before eating, her mother-in-law was startled—only to later find out that due to her poor eyesight, she had mistaken the ground pork for ants. And thus, this dish came to be known as “Ants Climbing a Tree,” and the name has endured to this day. After hearing the story, are you getting hungry too? Let’s quickly take a look at how to make this classic dish~！
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Ingredients:
Glass noodles (cellophane noodles) – 3 bundles (110g)
Ground pork – 150g
Chili bean paste – 1 tbsp
Minced ginger – 1.5 tsp
Minced garlic – 1 tsp
Chopped scallions – to taste
Water (or broth) – 650ml
Rice wine – 1 tbsp
Soy sauce – 2 tbsp
Sugar – a little
White pepper – a little
Prickly ash oil – a little (optional)
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Directions:
1. First, soak the glass noodles until softened and set aside.

2. Next, heat some oil in a pan. Sauté the chopped scallions, ginger, and garlic until fragrant, then add the ground pork and stir-fry.

3. Then, make a space in the middle of the pan and add the chili bean paste to sauté until aromatic.

4. Add the rice wine and water, bring to a boil, then add the glass noodles and simmer.

5. Finally, once the liquid has mostly evaporated and the noodles have reached your desired tenderness, season with sugar, soy sauce, and white pepper. Just before serving, drizzle with prickly ash oil and sprinkle with chopped scallions to finish.

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Tips
1. Sautéing the chili bean paste first will bring out more fragrance.
2. The saltiness and spiciness of chili bean paste vary by brand, so adjust the amount according to your preference.
3. The amount of water can also be adjusted based on how soft or chewy you like your noodles. Use less for a firmer texture, more for softer.
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Doesn’t this classic “Ants Climbing a Tree” look super simple? Go ahead and try making it yourself~

Man’s Kitchen 1+1
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