Fresh Large Tiger Prawns | Kala Tiger (کالا ٹائیگر) | Karachi

Buy fresh Large Tiger Prawns in Karachi — sourced the same morning from Karachi Fish Harbour by FreshCuts and delivered directly to your door. Wild-caught from the Arabian Sea, never frozen, cleaned exactly to your preference. With approximately 15 to 20 whole prawns per kg, these are premium-grade Kala Tiger prawns at their natural best.

What Are Large Tiger Prawns?

Large Tiger Prawns — locally known as Kala Tiger (کالا ٹائیگر) — are one of the most prized seafood varieties available in Karachi. They belong to the Penaeus monodon species and are significantly different from regular white Jaira prawns in size, flavour, texture, and price. Their distinctive black and orange striped shell, firm meaty flesh, and bold oceanic taste make them the preferred choice for BBQ, grilling, and premium karahi dishes across Karachi restaurants and households.

At FreshCuts, every order is sourced fresh on the morning of your delivery. No overnight cold storage. No pre-frozen stock. What arrives at your door was at Karachi Fish Harbour the same day.

Flavor Profile

Large Tiger Prawns offer a bold, mildly sweet, and slightly briny flavour with a firm, juicy bite that is noticeably richer than white Jaira prawns. Moreover, their dense flesh absorbs marinades deeply during marination, which means every bite carries full flavour whether grilled over charcoal, cooked in a spicy masala, or tossed in garlic butter. Their natural brininess complements both bold Pakistani spices and lighter continental preparations equally well. Additionally, keeping them whole during BBQ allows the shell to lock in natural juices, producing a noticeably more succulent result.

Name and Identification

English Name: Tiger Prawn / Black Tiger Prawn Local Urdu Name: Kala Tiger (کالا ٹائیگر), Kala Jaira, Saana, Patapati, Tiger Jheenga (ٹائیگر جھینگا) Scientific Name: Penaeus monodon Family: Penaeidae Order: Decapoda Class: Malacostraca

For the full species profile, see the Tiger Prawn on FishBase.

Habitat and Sourcing

Tiger Prawns are naturally found in warm tropical and subtropical coastal waters including the Arabian Sea and Indo-Pacific regions. They thrive in mangrove estuaries, shallow seabeds, and brackish water environments along Pakistan’s Sindh and Balochistan coastline. Furthermore, FreshCuts sources Large Tiger Prawns exclusively through wild catch — hand-selected at Karachi Fish Harbour on the morning of your delivery date. As a result, you receive prawns at natural peak freshness rather than from cold storage.

Size, Cutting Options and Yield

Size and Count Per Kg

Approximately 15 to 20 whole uncleaned prawns per kg depending on the day’s harbour catch. Each prawn weighs between 50 and 65 grams whole. This is the large grade of Tiger Prawns — bigger than medium Kala Tiger but smaller than the Super Jumbo U8 grade. Consequently, this size offers the best balance between impressive individual prawn size and value per kg for everyday premium 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 intact. The best choice for BBQ and charcoal grilling — the shell and head protect the meat during high heat and release natural flavour into the prawn as it cooks.

Headless Shell-On (بغیر سر کے مگر چھلکے سمیت): Head removed, shell kept on. Popular for Tiger Prawn karahi and masala — the shell adds depth and body to the gravy during cooking and removes easily at the table.

Peeled, Deveined, Tail-On (چھلا ہوا، دم سمیت): Shell removed, tail left for presentation. Ideal for grilled prawn platters, pasta, and continental dishes where a clean impressive presentation matters.

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

Tempura Cut (ٹمپورا کٹ): Scored and butterflied so each prawn lies completely flat without curling during frying. Ready to batter straight away for restaurant-style crispy Tiger Prawn tempura 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 Tiger Prawn BBQ serving 4 people ordering whole prawns, order 1 to 1.5 kg. For a Tiger Prawn karahi serving 4 using headless shell-on, order 1 kg whole — after head removal you receive approximately 680 to 720 grams.

Health and Nutrition

Health Benefits

Large Tiger Prawns are naturally high in lean protein and low in fat, making them one of the most nutritionally efficient seafood choices available in Pakistan. A 100g serving delivers approximately 23g of protein with just 1.5g 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 strengthen the immune system, 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: 105 | Protein: 23g | Fat: 1.5g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Cholesterol: 152mg

Tiger 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 difference between Tiger Prawns and regular white prawns?

Tiger Prawns (Kala Tiger / کالا ٹائیگر) and regular white prawns (Jaira / جیرا) are two completely different species. Tiger Prawns have a distinctive black and orange striped shell, firmer and bolder flavour, and denser flesh that holds up in high-heat cooking like BBQ and grilling. White Jaira prawns are milder, softer, and better suited for biryani, everyday curries, and pasta. Tiger Prawns are priced higher per kg due to their size, catch availability, and premium eating quality. See our Medium Prawns page to compare directly.

What is the difference between Large Tiger Prawns and Jumbo Tiger Prawns?

Large Tiger Prawns yield approximately 15 to 20 prawns per kg while Jumbo Tiger Prawns (Super Jumbo grade) yield 12 to 18 per kg — meaning jumbo prawns are individually larger and heavier. For everyday karahi and family meals, large Tiger Prawns offer excellent value. For special occasions, festive platters, and maximum visual impact, jumbo grade delivers a more impressive serving. See our Jumbo Tiger Prawns page to compare.

Are Tiger Prawns halal?

Yes. Tiger 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 Tiger Prawn price in Karachi?

FreshCuts Large Tiger Prawns are currently priced at ₨2,500 per kg based on pre-cleaning weight. Prices may vary slightly by season and daily harbour catch availability. All current pricing is shown live on this page.

How many Tiger Prawns do I need per person?

For a main course BBQ, allow 250 to 300 grams of whole uncleaned Tiger Prawns per person. After full cleaning this provides approximately 120 to 155 grams of prawn meat per serving — a generous portion. For a family of 4 doing BBQ, order 1 to 1.2 kg whole. For karahi, 1 kg headless shell-on serves 3 to 4 people comfortably.

What is the best dish to make with Large Tiger Prawns?

Large Tiger Prawns work best in dishes where their size and firmness are an advantage. For BBQ, order whole — the shell protects the meat and creates a smoky char. For karahi, order headless shell-on so the shell flavours the masala. For pasta and continental dishes, order peeled tail-on for clean presentation. For restaurant-style tempura, order the Tempura Cut for perfectly flat frying every time. See our Prawn Karahi recipe for a complete Karachi-style cooking guide.

Do you deliver Tiger Prawns across Karachi?

Yes. FreshCuts delivers fresh Large Tiger 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.

Can Tiger Prawns be frozen after delivery?

FreshCuts delivers 100% fresh, never-frozen Tiger Prawns. If you are not cooking them the same day, store 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 Tiger Prawns that have already been thawed as this affects texture and food safety.