Ants Climbing a Tree (Ma Yi Shang Shu)

Name: Ants Climbing a Tree (Ma Yi Shang Shu)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 200 gr glass noodles; 3 cloves garlic; 1 tbsp ginger; 200 gr ground pork; 1 stalk green onion; 1 tbsp Sichuan chili bean paste; ½ tsp chili powder; 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tsp peppercorns; 3 chilis; 1 tsp sesame oil; ¼ tsp pepper; 1 tsp sugar; 250 ml water

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Ants Climbing a Tree (Ma Yi Shang Shu 螞蟻上樹）is a savory and spicy Sichuan glass noodle dish made with ground pork, aromatics, and a flavorful sauce. The slippery noodles soak up all that delicious seasoning, making this an easy and satisfying meal for any day of the week.

A pair of chopsticks holding ants climbing a tree glass noodles.

A Quick Look at the Recipe

🏷️ Recipe Name: Ants Climbing a Tree (Ma Yi Shang Shu)
⏱️ Ready In: ~ 20 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 2 portions
🔥 Calories: 701 kcal per serving (estimate)
🧾 Main Ingredients: Glass noodles, ground pork, garlic, ginger, green onion, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, chili, chili powder, chili bean paste, salt, pepper, sesame oil.
🥗 Dietary Info: Contains meat.
🧠 Difficulty: Easy

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I often ordered Ants Climbing a Tree while I was living in Taipei, and it became one of those simple dishes I always enjoyed coming back to. Also known as Ma Yi Shang Shu, this dish combines slippery glass noodles with savory ground pork and a flavorful, slightly spicy sauce that clings to every strand.

Another dish I loved ordering in Taipei was Tomato Egg Stir Fry, so both recipes bring back memories of the everyday Taiwanese food I enjoyed there. If you like glass noodle dishes, you may also want to try my Stir Fried Glass Noodles, which is a heartier version made with chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, and vegetables.

For another Taiwanese favorite, my Three Cup Chicken is also worth trying, with its rich combination of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and basil.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Spicy and savory – The glass noodles soak up a deeply savory sauce with just enough heat to make every bite flavorful without overwhelming the dish.
Quick and easy – Once the ingredients are prepared, this dish comes together quickly in one wok or pan, making it great for a busy lunch or dinner.
Economical – Glass noodles and ground pork are both budget-friendly ingredients, and a little pork goes a long way when mixed throughout the noodles.
Authentic flavor – This recipe has the classic combination of savory, spicy, and aromatic flavors that make Ants Climbing a Tree, or Ma Yi Shang Shu, such a comforting Chinese-style noodle dish.

Recipe Ingredients

Ants climbing a tree ingredients with labels.

Ingredient Notes

Glass noodles – These thin, transparent noodles are usually sold dried in packages. Soak them in water until softened before cooking so they can absorb the sauce more evenly.

Chili bean paste – This is one of the key ingredients that gives Ants Climbing a Tree its signature savory, spicy flavor. It adds depth and helps make the dish taste much more authentic.

Chili powder and Sichuan peppercorns – These are optional, depending on how spicy and numbing you like the dish. Add more for extra heat and that distinctive Sichuan peppercorn tingle.

How to Make Ants Climbing a Tree

Step by step process photos of preparing the glass noodles and cooking the dish.

STEP 1. Soak the glass noodles in warm water until soft and pliable, then set aside (Image 1). Heat some cooking oil in a wok or large pan (Image 2). Add the minced garlic and ginger and sauté until fragrant (Image 3). Add the ground pork and break it into small pieces with a spatula so it does not clump together (Image 4).

Step by step process photos of cooking the pork and sauce.

STEP 2. Stir-fry the pork until it changes color and is mostly cooked through. Add the chili bean paste and soy sauce, followed by the Shaoxing wine, mushroom powder, chili powder, pepper, sugar, Sichuan peppercorns, and sesame oil (Images 5, 6, 7). Add fresh chilies if you prefer more heat. Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer (Image 8).

Step by step process photos of cooking the glass noodles together in the wok.

STEP 3. Drain the softened glass noodles well and add them to the wok (Image 9). Toss and stir the noodles through the sauce so they absorb the seasoning evenly (Image 10). Long chopsticks together with a spatula make it easier to separate and toss the noodles. Continue cooking until the noodles are translucent, tender, and most of the sauce has been absorbed. Add the chopped green onions and toss briefly (Images 11, 12). Serve warm.

Pro Tips

Do not oversoak the glass noodles. Soak them only until they are soft and pliable. They will continue cooking in the sauce, so soaking them for too long can make them overly soft or mushy.
Drain the noodles well. Excess soaking water can dilute the sauce and weaken the flavor, so let the noodles drain thoroughly before adding them to the wok.
Break the ground pork into small pieces. The tiny pieces of pork should cling to the noodles, which is part of what gives Ants Climbing a Tree its characteristic appearance and texture.
Adjust the spice level to your taste. Chili bean paste already adds heat, so taste before adding extra chili powder or fresh chilies. For more of that classic Sichuan numbing sensation, add a little more Sichuan peppercorn.
Let the noodles absorb the sauce. After adding the glass noodles, keep tossing them over medium heat until most of the liquid has been absorbed. This is what gives the noodles their savory flavor.
Use chopsticks and a spatula together. Long chopsticks are especially helpful for lifting and separating the noodles while the spatula helps turn everything from the bottom of the wok.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Ants Climbing a Tree warm with a simple vegetable side such as Bok Choy Stir Fry, or add Chicken Mushroom Stir Fry if you want a more filling meal. Fried wontons also make a great crispy side dish alongside the soft, slippery noodles.

If you like extra flavor, add a spoonful of Garlic Chili Oil for more heat or Ginger Scallion Sauce for a fresh, aromatic finish. I also like serving it with pickled cucumber (acar timun) because the tangy, crunchy cucumber balances the rich and savory noodles really well.

For a refreshing drink, pair it with Watermelon Juice, Cucumber Juice, or a fizzy Lychee Soda.

Ants Climbing a Tree FAQs

What are Ants Climbing a Tree noodles made of?

Ants Climbing a Tree, or Ma Yi Shang Shu, is usually made with glass noodles, ground pork, chili bean paste, soy sauce, aromatics, and seasonings. Despite the name, there are no ants involved — the small pieces of pork clinging to the noodles are what inspired the name.

What kind of noodles should I use for Ants Climbing a Tree?

Use thin glass noodles, also called cellophane noodles or bean thread noodles. Soak them until soft and pliable before adding them to the wok.

Can I make Ants Climbing a Tree without pork?

Yes. Ground chicken or turkey would be the easiest substitutes. You could also use finely chopped mushrooms or crumbled tofu for a meatless version, although the flavor and texture will be different.

Why are my glass noodles mushy?

The noodles may have been soaked too long or cooked too long in the sauce. Soak them only until pliable, then let them finish cooking in the wok.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, but glass noodles tend to absorb more sauce as they sit, so the dish is best freshly cooked. Leftovers can still be refrigerated and reheated gently with a small splash of water if needed.

Storage

Store leftover Ants Climbing a Tree in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The glass noodles will continue to absorb the sauce as they sit, so they may become a little drier and softer the next day.

To reheat, warm the noodles in a wok or pan over low to medium heat with a small splash of water to loosen them. You can also reheat them in the microwave until warmed through.