Looking Deeper: More about Ikan Bilis/Anchovies

Anchovies (ikan bilis) with bones intact are a good source of calcium. They have two to three times more calcium than those with the bones removed. Three tablespoons of anchovies will give you about 180mg of calcium, which is about one-fifth of an adult's daily calcium requirement. As the dried variety has high salt content, anchovies are soaked and washed before cooking, reducing sodium intake as well. However, the entrails and head of anchovies contribute to much higher cholesterol content, so it is better to have them removed but to leave the bones intact. In this dish, the ikan bilis is not consumed as it has turned hard as it is exposed to heat for a long time during the boiling of the soup.