Fresh Large White Prawns (بڑے جھینگے)

Fresh Large Prawns (بڑے جھینگے)

Large Prawns, locally known as Barra Jaira (بڑا جیرا) or Barra Safaid Jheenga — are the larger size of Indian White Prawns (Fenneropenaeus indicus) sourced from Pakistan’s Arabian Sea coastline. At FreshCuts, large prawns are hand-selected fresh every morning from Karachi Fish Harbour and prepared the same day against your confirmed order. No frozen stock. No pre-stored seafood.

With approximately 20 to 25 whole prawns per kg, large prawns offer significantly more meat per prawn than medium size — making them the preferred choice when you want the prawn to be the star of the dish rather than a background ingredient. They hold their shape during high-heat cooking, absorb marinades deeply, and work equally well in traditional Pakistani masala dishes and continental recipes. For Karachi families who cook prawn karahi, grilled prawns, or festive seafood platters, this is the most versatile premium size available.

Flavor Profile

Large White Prawns have a rich, mildly sweet flavour with a firm, juicy bite that is noticeably more substantial than medium prawns. Moreover, their thick flesh locks in marinades during cooking, which means every mouthful carries full flavour whether you grill, fry, or cook them in a masala. Their natural sweetness is clean and delicate — complementing bold Pakistani spices without being overpowered by them. Additionally, keeping the head on during karahi and curry cooking releases natural prawn stock into the gravy, adding a depth of seafood flavour that makes the dish noticeably richer.

Name and Identification

English Name: Indian White Prawn — Large Size Local Urdu Name: Barra Jaira (بڑا جیرا), Barra Safaid Jheenga (بڑا سفید جھینگا) Scientific Name: Fenneropenaeus indicus Family: Penaeidae Order: Decapoda Class: Malacostraca Also Known As: Large White Prawns, Large Jaira, Barra Jheenga

For the complete species profile, see the Indian White Prawn on FishBase.

Habitat and Sourcing

Indian White Prawns thrive in the shallow coastal waters, tidal estuaries, and sandy seabeds of the Arabian Sea along Pakistan’s Sindh and Balochistan coastline. Furthermore, FreshCuts sources large prawns exclusively through wild catch — hand-picked at Karachi Fish Harbour on the morning of your delivery date. As a result, you receive prawns at their natural peak rather than from overnight cold storage or pre-frozen stock.

Size, Cutting Options and Yield

Size and Count Per Kg

Approximately 20 to 25 whole uncleaned prawns per kg, depending on the day’s harbour catch. Each prawn weighs between 40 and 50 grams whole. Consequently, this size offers significantly more meat per prawn than medium Jaira, making it the preferred choice for dishes where the prawn needs to hold its presence through cooking.

Cutting Preferences

All cuts are prepared fresh on the day of your delivery. Select your preferred cleaning style at checkout:

Whole Uncleaned (ثابت بغیر صفائی کے): Full prawn with head and shell. Ideal for BBQ on the grill and prawn stock — the shell and head protect the meat during high heat and release natural flavour into gravies and broths.

Headless Shell-On (بغیر سر کے مگر چھلکے سمیت): Head removed, shell intact. The most popular choice for prawn karahi — the shell adds depth and body to the masala gravy during cooking and peels away easily at the table.

Peeled, Deveined, Tail-On (چھلا ہوا، دم سمیت): Shell removed, tail left for presentation. Best for grilled prawn platters, stir-fry, and continental dishes where appearance at the table matters.

Fully Peeled and Deveined (مکمل طور پر چھلا ہوا): Completely clean and ready to cook directly. Suited for prawn biryani, pasta, and fried prawn dishes where no shell handling is preferred.

Tempura Cut (ٹمپورا کٹ): Scored and butterflied so the prawn lies completely flat without curling during frying. Ready to batter straight away for restaurant-style crispy tempura prawns at home. Moreover, this cut is exclusive to FreshCuts and unavailable at most other seafood delivery services in Karachi.

Approximate Cleaning Yield

All FreshCuts prices are based on pre-cleaning weight. Here is what you receive after each cut:

Ordering guide: For a prawn karahi serving 4 people using headless shell-on prawns, order 1 kg whole. After removing heads you will receive approximately 680 to 720 grams — the right quantity for a full karahi with a generous prawn-to-masala ratio. For a family BBQ of 6, order 1.5 kg whole prawns.

Health and Nutrition

Health Benefits

Large White Prawns are naturally high in lean protein and low in fat, making them one of the most nutritionally efficient seafood options in Pakistan. A 100g serving delivers approximately 20g of protein with under 2g of fat — ideal for high-protein meals without excess calories. Furthermore, their Omega-3 fatty acids actively support heart health and help reduce inflammation throughout the body. Vitamin B12 contributes to sustained energy and healthy neurological function. Additionally, Iodine and Selenium support thyroid regulation and immune strength, while Zinc and Phosphorus promote bone density and metabolic balance.

For more detail on seafood’s role in long-term heart and brain health, see Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Calories Per 100g

Calories: 99 | Protein: 20g | Fat: 1.7g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Cholesterol: 152mg

Prawns contain dietary cholesterol but remain very low in saturated fat, making them a heart-safe choice in moderation for most healthy diets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the price of large prawns in Karachi?

FreshCuts large prawns are currently priced at ₨2,000 per kg based on pre-cleaning weight. Prices may vary slightly by season and daily harbour availability. All current pricing is shown live on this page.

What is the difference between large prawns and medium prawns?

Large prawns yield 20 to 25 prawns per kg and each prawn carries significantly more meat, making them better suited for dishes where the prawn is the centrepiece — karahi, grilled prawns, and BBQ. Medium prawns yield 40 to 60 per kg, cook faster, and work better for biryani and everyday curries where a softer, smaller prawn distributes more evenly through the dish. Additionally, large prawns cost more per kg but deliver more meat per prawn. See our Medium Prawns page to compare directly.

What is the difference between large prawns and jumbo prawns?

Large prawns (20–25 per kg) and jumbo prawns (12–18 per kg) are both Indian White Jaira prawns — the jumbo size is simply the next grade up in terms of individual prawn weight. For everyday karahi and family meals, large prawns offer excellent value. For special occasions, festive platters, and gourmet presentations, jumbo prawns deliver a more impressive serving. See our Jumbo Prawns page to compare.

How many large prawns do I need per person?

For a main course, allow 200 to 250 grams of whole uncleaned large prawns per person. After full peeling this provides approximately 96 to 130 grams of prawn meat per serving — a satisfying portion for most adults. For a family of 4 ordering headless shell-on for karahi, 1 kg whole is sufficient.

Are large prawns halal?

Yes. Prawns are considered halal by the majority of Islamic scholars as ocean seafood. They are widely consumed across Pakistan without religious restriction. However, some scholars of the Hanafi school consider prawns makruh rather than haram — if this applies to your household, please consult your local religious authority.

What is the best dish to cook with large prawns?

Large prawns work best in dishes where their size and firmness are an advantage. Prawn Karahi is the most popular use — order headless shell-on so the shell flavours the masala. For BBQ and grilling, order whole so the shell protects the meat from direct heat. For pasta and stir-fry, order peeled tail-on for clean presentation. Additionally, for restaurant-style tempura, order the Tempura Cut for perfectly flat frying every time. See our Prawn Karahi recipe for a full Karachi-style guide.

Do you deliver large prawns across Karachi?

Yes. FreshCuts delivers fresh large prawns across all major Karachi areas including DHA (all phases), Clifton, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Johar, PECHS, Bahadurabad, Tariq Road, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, Federal B Area, Malir, Korangi, Saddar, Liaquatabad, New Karachi, Scheme 33, and surrounding areas. Orders placed before 10 PM are sourced fresh from Karachi Fish Harbour the next morning and delivered the same day. Cash on delivery available.