Fresh Medium Prawns (درمیانے جھینگے)

What Are Medium Prawns?

Medium Prawns,  locally known as Jaira (جیرا) or Darmiyana Jheenga (درمیانہ جھینگا), are the most popular and best selling prawn size in Karachi households. They belong to the Indian White Prawn species (Fenneropenaeus indicus), naturally live in the Arabian Sea coastal waters. FreshCuts sources freshMedium Prawns every morning from Karachi Fish Harbour and prepared the same day against your confirmed order. No frozen stock. No pre-stored seafood.

With approximately 40 to 60 whole prawns per kg, medium prawns offer the perfect balance of size, tenderness, and value. They are large enough to hold their shape in curries and biryani, small enough to cook evenly and quickly, and affordable enough for everyday family meals. As This is the prawn size that Karachi cooks rely on most.

Flavor Profile

Medium White Prawns have a clean, mildly sweet flavour with a firm yet tender bite. Additionally, they absorb spices and marinades beautifully, which is exactly why they work so well in Pakistani masala dishes where the gravy and spice should be the star. Their delicate natural sweetness also makes them excellent in lighter preparations like garlic butter, pasta, and stir-fry. Unlike Tiger Prawns which carry a stronger, brinier taste, Jaira prawns are versatile enough to suit both bold desi flavours and subtle continental recipes.

Name and Identification

English Name: Indian White Prawn — Medium Size

Local Urdu Name: Jaira (جیرا), Darmiyana Jheenga (درمیانہ جھینگا), Safaid Jheenga

Scientific Name: Fenneropenaeus indicus

Family: Penaeidae

Also Known As: White Prawns, Medium White Prawns, Jaira Prawns

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

Habitat and Sourcing

White Prawns are native to the Arabian Sea and Indo-Pacific coastal waters, thriving in shallow sandy seabeds, estuaries, and tidal creeks along Pakistan’s Sindh coastline. Moreover FreshCuts sources medium prawns exclusively through wild catch, hand-selected at Karachi Fish Harbour on the morning of your delivery date, ensuring you receive prawns at peak freshness rather than from cold storage.

Size, Cutting Options and Yield

Size and Count Per Kg

Approximately 40 to 60 whole uncleaned prawns per kg, depending on the day’s harbour catch. Each prawn weighs between 15 and 25 grams whole. This is the most consistent and widely available prawn size at FreshCuts year-round.

Cutting Preferences

Select your preferred cleaning style at checkout. we do all cuts fresh on the day of your delivery:

Whole Uncleaned (ثابت بغیر صفائی کے): Full prawn with head and shell intact. Best for prawn stock, soup bases, and traditional harbour-style BBQ where the shell locks in natural flavour.

Headless Shell-On (بغیر سر کے مگر چھلکے سمیت): Head removed, shell kept on. Popular for karahi and masala dishes where the shell adds depth to the gravy during cooking.

Peeled, Deveined, Tail-On (چھلا ہوا، دم سمیت): Shell removed, tail left for presentation. Ideal for stir-fry, pasta, tempura, and plated dishes where appearance matters.

Fully Peeled and Deveined (مکمل طور پر چھلا ہوا): Completely clean, ready to add directly to the pot. The most popular choice for prawn biryani, everyday karahi, and fried rice across Karachi households.

Tempura Cut (ٹمپورا کٹ): Scored and butterflied so each prawn lies completely flat without curling during frying. Ready to batter straight away for crispy restaurant-style tempura prawns at home. This cutting option is exclusive to FreshCuts and not available at most 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 family of 4 needing fully peeled medium prawns for biryani, order 1.5 kg whole. After full peeling you will receive approximately 720 to 780 grams of clean prawn meat,  the right quantity for a full pot of biryani.

Health and Nutrition

Health Benefits

Medium White Prawns are one of the most nutritionally complete foods available in Pakistan. They are naturally high in lean protein, low in fat and calories, and packed with essential vitamins and minerals that support overall health. Their Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and support heart and brain health. Energy production and neurological function benefit from the high Vitamin B12 content. For thyroid and immune health, Iodine and Selenium play a key role, while Zinc and Phosphorus contribute to stronger bones and metabolic balance.

For more on the health benefits of seafood, 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 are 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 medium prawns in Karachi?

FreshCuts medium prawns are currently priced at ₨1,300 per kg based on pre-cleaning weight. Prices may vary slightly by season and harbour availability. All current pricing is shown live on this page and updated regularly.

How many medium prawns do I need for biryani?

For a standard family biryani serving 4 to 5 people, order 1 to 1.5 kg of whole medium prawns fully peeled. After cleaning you will receive approximately 480 to 780 grams of prawn meat — enough for a full pot with a good prawn-to-rice ratio in every serving.

What is the difference between medium prawns and large prawns?

Medium prawns (Jaira) yield 40 to 60 prawns per kg and are best suited for biryani, everyday karahi, fried rice, and pasta where a softer, quicker-cooking prawn works better. Large prawns yield 20 to 30 per kg, have thicker flesh, and suit dishes where the prawn is the centerpiece — grilled prawns, prawn masala, and BBQ. See our Large Prawns page to compare directly.

Are medium prawns halal?

Yes. Prawns are considered halal by the majority of Islamic scholars as seafood from the ocean. They are widely consumed across Pakistan without religious restriction. 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 way to cook medium prawns?

Medium prawns cook in 3 to 5 minutes depending on the method. For biryani, add fully peeled prawns in the final dum stage so they stay tender. For karahi, add headless shell-on prawns early so the shell flavours the masala. For frying, order Tempura Cut for perfectly flat crispy prawns every time. See our Prawn Karahi recipe for a full Karachi-style guide using medium prawns.

Do you deliver medium prawns across Karachi?

Yes. FreshCuts delivers fresh medium 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 next morning and delivered the same day. Cash on delivery available.

Can I freeze medium prawns after delivery?

FreshCuts delivers 100% fresh, never-frozen medium prawns. If you are not cooking them the same day, store them in the coldest part of your refrigerator and cook within 24 hours. For longer storage, freeze in an airtight zip-lock bag on the day of delivery. Do not refreeze prawns that have already been thawed.