Ants Climb a Tree

This eccentrically named Chinese noodle dish is actually a simple stir fry of ground pork and mung bean noodles meant to resemble ants climbing a tree. Serve hot or room temperature for some classic Asian comfort food.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese

Keyword pork

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Servings

Calories 564kcal

Author Agile Test Kitchen

Ingredients

4-5 oz dried mung bean noodles
1 tsp oil
1 tsp minced garlic about 1 large clove
1/2 lb ground pork or finely diced mushrooms
5 Tb soy sauce or tamari
2 Tb rice wine
1 ea sliced green onion for garnish

Instructions

Cover mung bean noodles with boiling water. Set aside for at least 10-15 minutes. They should be fully cooked at this point.
Heat a non-stick pan or wok to medium heat. Add 1 tsp oil and garlic. Stir for 10-15 seconds.
Add ground pork, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and rice wine. Cook for 2-3 minutes until pork is cooked through. Keep stirring to break up the pork into ant sized pieces.
Drain the mung bean noodles. Cut into smaller pieces with a couple chops with scissors. Add noodles to pan with water stir for 2-3 minutes. If the noodles start to stick to the pan, you can add a little more water to the pan.
Season with salt to taste. Garnish with green onion to serve.

Notes

If the pork has a lot of fat after cooking, drain it off before adding the soy sauce and rice wine.
Use a well seasoned wok or nonstick skillet to make an easier time of cleaning up.
Substitute a tablespoon of fermented chili paste for the soy sauce for some spicy heat.
Add more soy sauce and a drizzle of sesame oil for additional flavor.
Can be served hot or at room temperature.
This serves 2 very hungry people or 4 people as a side dish/appetizer.

Nutrition