Where can I find this Chinese dish?

[chica]

I haven't had "ma yi san su" (Mandarin) in years. It's a non-soupy chinese dish with thin, clear noodles, topped with ground beef, spices, and sauce. The name is a reflection of the dish -- the tiny pieces of beef look like ants.

It was so good, and I'm craving it. Has anyone had a really tasty version recently?

[Pei]

It's usually found at Szechuan restaurants. Do any of the local Szechuan lovers know where to get it now that my favorite (Best Szechuan on Valley) is closed?

[judge dee]

Pei is right. This is a Szechuan (Sichuan) dish, usually translated as ants (climbing) up a tree.

[sel]

Good recipe in Fuscia Dunlop's book, 'Land of Plenty' but that belongs on a different board. I don't recall seeing it on any of the SGV Sichuan places.

[zruilong]

It's around. Look for the pinyin "ma yi shang shu", this would be the "standard way" of writing it, for what its worth.

蚂蚁上树。。 Don't know if the characters will appear.

[ipsedixit]

I believe 888 has it, at least before the regime change in the kitchen.

I've also had it at Lake Spring and I recall seeing it at Triumphal Palace.

[chica]

Thanks!

[ipsedixit]

You know, this really IS a wonderful dish.

But I never seem to order it. I think it's because it's so filling (those vermicilli-type noodles are a doozy on the digestive tract) ... leaving no room for other dishes ... [sigh].

[kathyyl]

Just had this dish at Manie's Restaurant in Rowland Heights last week - pretty darn good. We asked to have it very spicy and they sure delivered. It was the first time I had these noodles, noted as "ants climbing a tree," and I'll be back for more. Fiery spice with bits of ground beef spotted throughout - the clear noodles wore an intense shade of red from all the heat...oh man, I'm craving some now! Their dandan mein and xiao long bao are also worth a try :)

Manie's Restaurant
18438 Colima Road #106
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
[phone]

http://apassionforfood.blogspot.com/

[chica]

Thanks! I'll give it a try.

[Chubbypanda]

Hiya Kathy!

Anyhow, there are also a number of good recipes online. Dan dan mian and ma yi shang su are dishes that my mother used to make for me often when I was a child. They're relatively simple and oh-so-tasty.

- Chubbypanda

http://epicurious-wanderer.blogspot.com/