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Ants Climbing Trees

A playful Sichuan dish of ground pork clinging to delicate glass noodles, tossed in a spicy-savory sauce. Quick, flavorful, and endlessly variable.

25 minEasyServes 4380 cal/serving

ChineseDinnerStovetopStandard

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 4 oz glass noodles (mung bean noodles), soaked
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp chili paste (doubanjiang)
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 scallions, chopped
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp sugar

Instructions

  1. 1

    Soak 4 oz glass noodles (mung bean noodles) in hot water for 5 minutes until soft. Drain.

  2. 2

    Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.

  3. 3

    Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

  4. 4

    Add 1 lb ground pork and cook, breaking it apart, for 4-5 minutes until cooked through.

  5. 5

    Stir in 2 tbsp chili paste (doubanjiang) and cook for 1 minute.

  6. 6

    Add 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 cup chicken broth, and 1 tsp sugar. Stir well.

  7. 7

    Add noodles and toss everything together. Cook for 2-3 minutes.

  8. 8

    Drizzle with 1 tbsp sesame oil and toss. Garnish with 4 chopped scallions.

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Questions

What is Ants Climbing Trees?

A playful Sichuan dish of ground pork clinging to delicate glass noodles, tossed in a spicy-savory sauce. Quick, flavorful, and endlessly variable. This reference files it under Chinese dinner: made on the stovetop, rated easy and about 25 minutes start to finish.

Can I skip the soak in Ants Climbing Trees?

Step 1 reads: "Soak 4 oz glass noodles (mung bean noodles) in hot water for 5 minutes until soft." Better not. The soak in step 1 hydrates the ingredient so it softens evenly in the time given; skipping it means a longer cook and a less even texture.

What can I use instead of doubanjiang in Ants Climbing Trees?

The entry for Ants Climbing Trees calls for 2 tbsp chili paste (doubanjiang). In its place: Use gochujang or a chili-garlic sauce with a spoonful of miso stirred in for the fermented bean depth.

Can I use ground chicken or turkey instead of ground pork in Ants Climbing Trees?

Yes. Use dark-meat ground chicken or turkey if you can, and add a teaspoon of oil per half pound, since pork brings fat that poultry does not. As written, the entry for Ants Climbing Trees uses 1 lb ground pork.

Can I make Ants Climbing Trees less spicy?

Yes. The heat in Ants Climbing Trees comes from 2 tbsp chili paste (doubanjiang). For a milder plate, start with half the chili paste and add more to taste at the end; nothing else in the method changes.

Does Ants Climbing Trees contain sesame?

Yes: 1 tbsp sesame oil. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, soy and sesame. Seeds used as a garnish can simply be left off; the oil has no true substitute. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

How long does Ants Climbing Trees keep?

Refrigerate what is left of Ants Climbing Trees within two hours and eat it within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop. The pasta keeps drinking the sauce as it sits; loosen it with a splash of water or stock.

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