Ants Climbing a Tree: Spicy Glass Noodles
Quick Info
- Flavor
- Savory-spicy with umami depth. Chili bean paste and soy sauce coat slippery noodles, with tiny morsels of seasoned pork throughout.
- Texture
- Springy, slippery glass noodles clinging to tiny bits of minced meat in a lightly oily sauce
- Spice Level
- 🌶️🌶️🌶️ — Similar heat to a spicy arrabiata pasta: present but manageable
- Temperature
- Served Hot
Ingredients
Allergens
Confirmed
Possible
These ingredients may vary by restaurant. Ask your server to confirm.
The story
The poetic name, “Ants Climbing a Tree,” describes how tiny bits of minced pork cling to the thin glass noodles like ants scaling tree branches. It’s a classic home-style Sichuan dish that’s been on family tables for centuries. Despite its whimsical name, it’s a practical, economical dish: a small amount of meat flavors a large amount of inexpensive noodles, so it’s a staple of everyday Chinese cooking.
What to expect
A tangle of translucent glass noodles arrives, tinted reddish-brown from chili bean paste and soy sauce. Tiny specks of ground pork cling to every strand: there’s the ants. The springy, slippery noodles absorb all the savory-spicy sauce. It’s more flavorful than it looks, and surprisingly filling. The dish is simple but deeply satisfying.
Tips
Glass noodles are naturally gluten-free (made from sweet potato starch), though the sauce contains soy and possibly wheat-based soy sauce. It’s a great introduction to Sichuan home cooking, with an approachable spice level and familiar textures. Eat it with rice to stretch the meal further.