This dish is said to be related to the character Dou E from Guan Hanqing's works during the Yuan Dynasty.Scholar Dou Tianzhang left with his daughter Dou E for the capital to take an exam, before which he betrothed her to Cai Old Lady as a child bride.In Cai's family, Dou E was filial to her mother-in-law and cared for her husband, making their life bearable.Tragically, after marrying her husband, he fell ill and passed away soon after, leaving his mother-in-law bedridden.

With a weak body, Dou E shouldered the heavy load of the family. Besides seeking medical treatment, she tried to cook delicious meals for her mother-in-law to aid in recovery.However, their finances were strained due to living expenses, and Dou E had no choice but to beg for credit at the butcher's shop.At the meat counter, the butcher said, "You haven't paid back the debt from your last two visits. I can't lend you any more today."Dou E pleaded politely, and the butcher, unable to resist, cut a small piece of meat for her.

Time to cook. With so little meat, what could she make?Her contemplative gaze fell on the cabinet above, where there was some left-oververmicellifrom the New Year's feast.Dou E had a sudden idea and took down the vermicelli, soaking it in hot water. She then cut the meat finely and added ginger,soy sauce. After stir-frying with chopped garlic,ginger, she added the soaked vermicelli and mixed everything for a moment before addinggreen onionsand pepper powder.Finally, she served it in a pan.When her mother-in-law lay on the bed asked, "Dou E, what delicious dish are you making?""It's vermicelli stir-fried with meat," Dou E replied.Before taking a bite, the old woman noticed black spots on the vermicelli and squinted to ask, "Why are there so many ants on this dish?"

When she learned the story behind it and took a taste, she praised the dish enthusiastically and suggested naming it "Ants Climbing the Tree.""This is stir-fried noodles.""With these words, Dou E placed the dish in front of her mother-in-law. Before the old lady picked up her chopsticks, she squinted at her reading glasses and asked: How many ants are there on this?""Once she understood the reason and took a bite, she couldn't help but praise it enthusiastically, suggesting they name the dish 'Ants Climbing the Tree'!"