It can also include tomatoes, onions, garlic, salt, ground black pepper, minced spring onions, and/or flour, as well as various other ingredients.

It typically uses canned sardines, which comes with a tomato sauce which may or may not also be included.

It is commonly regarded as a very cheap and easy meal to prepare, with a reputation similar to instant noodles.

It is usually eaten for breakfast with white rice and banana ketchup.

It can also be eaten as a sandwich with pandesal bread.