White Pomfret (White Paplet)

White Pomfret, locally known as Paplet Fish or Paplet Machli, is one of Karachi’s most loved seafood choices. Its clean taste, soft white flesh, and smooth texture make it ideal for frying, steaming, and BBQ. FreshCuts.pk sources freshly caught White Pomfret from the Arabian Sea and processes it under strict hygiene to keep its natural flavor and quality intact.

Flavor Profile

White Pomfret has a mild, buttery flavor with delicate, flaky meat. It has very low smell and cooks evenly, making it perfect for paplet fish fry, white pomfret BBQ, and steamed paplet. Those who prefer non-fishy fish often choose White Pomfret for its clean taste.

Name And Identification

• English Name: White Pomfret

• Local Name: White Paplet, Paplet Fish

• Scientific Name: Pampus argenteus

• Commonly Compared With: Black Pomfret, Heera Fish, Surmai

Habitat

White Pomfret is found in tropical and subtropical waters, including the Arabian Sea along Pakistan’s coastline. It prefers open water zones with sandy bottoms and moderate depth, which contributes to its tender flesh and balanced fat profile.

Catching and Farming Method

White Pomfret is mainly a wild sea species, harvested with gill nets, hand lines, and deep-sea fishing boats along Karachi’s fishing belt.
Paplet fish farming is rare worldwide, and especially uncommon in Pakistan, so markets rely almost entirely on fresh sea catch.
FreshCuts.pk receives daily landings at Karachi Fish Harbour, ensuring freshness from sea to doorstep.

Physical Attributes

White Pomfret has a flat, diamond-shaped body with silver-white skin and thin bones. Its meat is fine-grained and cooks quickly. The fish has a high flesh-to-bone ratio, making it popular for fillets and whole frying.

Size and Weight

Typical sizes available in Karachi markets:

• 300g to 1 kg (most common)

• Larger premium sizes reach 1.2 kg

Smaller sizes are preferred for frying, while larger ones work well for steaming or BBQ.

Cutting Preferences

• Whole

• Gutted

• Headless

• Slices (for larger sizes)

• Fillets (when the fish is big enough)

Customers often choose fillets for pan-frying and kids’ meals due to fewer bones.

Approximate Cutting Yield

• Whole: 100 percent

• Gutted: 85 percent

• Headless and gutted: 70 percent

• Slices: 55 percent

• Fillets: 40 percent

Health Benefits

• 🫀 Heart-friendly due to natural omega-3

• 💪 High protein supports energy and muscle growth

• 🌿 Low in saturated fat, ideal for clean eating

• 🧠 Rich in vitamins B12 and D

• 🔥 White Pomfret fish benefits include easy digestion and a nutrient-dense profile

• 📊 Customers searching for white pomfret fish nutrition facts prefer this fish for its balanced diet value and low-calorie count

Cooking Methods

• 🍳 Paplet fish fry with simple spices

• 🔥 White Pomfret BBQ for smoky flavor

• 🍛 Pomfret curry with light masala

• 🍋 Steamed Paplet for low-calorie meals

• 🐟 Pan-fried fillets with lemon and garlic

Popular dishes such as steamed white pomfret, fried whole paplet, and grilled white pomfret remain Karachi favorites.

FAQs

1. What is White Pomfret called in Pakistan?
It is commonly called Paplet Fish or Paplet Machli.

2. What is White Pomfret called in English?
It is known as White Pomfret.

3. Is White Pomfret healthy?
Yes. It offers clean protein, omega-3, and essential vitamins that support heart and brain health.

4. Where is White Pomfret found in Pakistan?
It is found in the Arabian Sea, especially near Karachi and Balochistan waters.

5. Is Paplet fish farming done in Pakistan?
Not commonly. Most White Pomfret in Pakistan is wild-caught.

6. How does White Pomfret taste?
It has a mild, buttery taste with soft flesh and low smell.

7. What cuts are available?
Whole, gutted, slices, fillets, and headless options depending on fish size.

8. Can I buy White Pomfret online in Karachi?
Yes. FreshCuts.pk delivers fresh sea-caught Pomfret across Karachi.

9. How many calories are in Pomfret?
Calories vary by cooking method. Steamed white pomfret calories are lowest, while fried versions are higher.