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Ant Climbing Tree — Sichuan recipe hero image
SichuanEasy 22 min serves 2

Ant Climbing Tree

蚂蚁上树 · mǎ yǐ shàng shù

家庭快手版 · Home version: Family version uses lean ground pork (not fatty), skips MSG, and adds a splash of Shaoxing wine for depth — no sugar or cornstarch slurry.

My grandfather in Chongqing’s Yuzhong District made this every Lunar New Year Eve — he called the vermicelli ‘the tree’ and the pork ‘ants’, saying, 'Even small things climb high when they stick together.' He used his mother’s clay pot, never a wok.

H

Recipe author: HǎoWèi Test Kitchen

Home-cooking research team

Reviewed by HǎoWèi editorial team · Last updated 2026-08-29

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Ingredients

  • dried cellophane noodles (mung bean starch)干粉丝(绿豆淀粉制)🏮 asian80 g
  • lean ground pork (90% lean)瘦猪肉末(肥瘦比1:9)🛒 local180 g
  • fermented broad bean paste (doubanjiang)郫县豆瓣酱🏮 asian10 g
  • Shaoxing wine绍兴酒🏮 asian15 ml
  • scallions, finely chopped (green and white parts separated)小葱,葱白葱绿分切🛒 local60 g

dried cellophane noodles (mung bean starch): Soak in room-temp water 15 min until pliable but still firm — do NOT boil or over-soak.

lean ground pork (90% lean): Substitute ground turkey or chicken if pork unavailable — adjust salt slightly.

fermented broad bean paste (doubanjiang): Must be Pixian-brand; substitute Korean gochujang only if essential (reduce by 30%).

Shaoxing wine: Substitute dry sherry or Japanese cooking sake if unavailable.

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Instructions

  1. 1Soak cellophane noodles in room-temperature water 15 minutes. Drain well, then snip into 5 cm lengths with kitchen shears.

    剪短易拌匀

    🔍 Look for 15 分钟 · 15 minutes

    Visual: 粉丝呈半透明状,柔韧易分,无糊烂。Noodles are translucent, flexible, and separate easily — no mushiness.

    You know it's right when: 单根粉丝可弯折不断,且无水滴下。A strand bends without snapping or dripping water.

  2. 2Heat wok over medium-high. Add pork and stir-fry until crumbled and no pink remains — about 2 minutes.

    炒散防结块

    🔍 Look for Medium-high 2 分钟 · 2 minutes

    Visual: 肉末呈细碎干爽颗粒状,表面哑光不泛油。Meat breaks into fine, dry granules; surface looks matte, not greasy.

    You know it's right when: 边缘初显浅褐,气味转为纯粹肉香。Edges begin to brown lightly; aroma turns meaty and clean.

  3. 3Push pork to edge. Add doubanjiang to center and stir-fry 20 seconds until oil reddens and aroma sharpens.

    豆瓣酱需爆香

    🔍 Look for Medium-low 20 秒 · 20 seconds

    Visual: 酱周油色转深珊瑚红,边缘泛细密泡沫。Oil around paste darkens to deep coral; tiny foam appears at edges.

    You know it's right when: 香味骤然浓郁,带暖醇发酵酸香。Fragrance intensifies with a warm, fermented tang.

  4. 4Return pork to center. Add Shaoxing wine and stir-fry 30 seconds until alcohol smell evaporates and mixture glistens.

    酒气要炒净

    🔍 Look for High heat 30 秒 · 30 seconds

    Visual: 短暂升腾一缕薄而可见的蒸汽;整体泛匀亮油光。Steam rises briefly in a thin, visible veil; surface glistens uniformly.

    You know it's right when: 刺鼻酒气消失,转为清甜米香。Sharp alcohol odor disappears, replaced by sweet rice fragrance.

  5. 5Add drained noodles and white scallion parts. Toss gently over medium heat 1 minute — noodles should absorb sauce, not steam.

    轻翻防断粉

    🔍 Look for Medium heat 1 分钟 · 1 minute

    Visual: 粉丝裹附肉末,呈浅米色,缀点点酱红。Noodles cling to pork, turning pale beige with flecks of red sauce.

    You know it's right when: 无蒸汽升腾;粉丝弹牙不软塌。No steam rises; noodles feel springy, not soggy.

    If noodles seem dry, add 1 tsp hot water — never cold.

Tips

  • · Never soak noodles in hot water — it makes them gluey and hard to separate.
  • · Doubanjiang is the soul: use authentic Pixian brand for true Sichuan umami.
  • · Finish with raw green scallions off-heat — their freshness balances the deep savoriness.

Sources & references

Quantities, technique notes, and substitution ratios are cross-checked against established Chinese cookery references and standard food-science sources.

Common questions

Can I skip Shaoxing wine? What's the substitute?

Dry sherry is the closest 1:1 swap (fidelity ~80%). No sherry? Use a splash of white wine plus a little water, or just skip it and add a tiny extra pinch of sugar — the wine's job is depth and removing meat's gamey notes, and a good marinade covers most of it.

Source: HǎoWèi substitution engine

I can't find Sichuan peppercorns. What do I use?

Honestly, there is no true substitute — the numbing (má) sensation is unique. Best local approximation: 1/2 tsp black pepper + a little citrus zest for warmth and brightness. If you cook Sichuan food regularly, buy them online; they keep for months in an airtight jar.

Source: HǎoWèi substitution engine

I only have 30 minutes. Which recipes should I pick?

Look for the 'Quick' filter (≤30 min) — tomato & egg, egg fried rice, scallion pancakes, beef & broccoli, and mapo tofu (if you have doubanjiang) all fit. Prep tip: mise-en-place everything first; the actual cooking is usually under 10 minutes.

Source: HǎoWèi recipe collection

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