Leather Jacket Fish (Irani Paplet)

Leather Jacket (Irani Paplet) — Mild, Clean & Perfect for Frying, Curry, Tawa & Daily Cooking

Leather Jacket — also known as Irani Paplet — is a unique, thin-skinned fish loved for its clean flavor, soft meat, and incredibly easy-to-cook texture. Its naturally mild taste makes it perfect for families, kids, and anyone who prefers seafood without a strong smell.

What makes Leather Jacket special is its delicate white meat that turns buttery-soft whether you fry it, cook it in curry, or prepare it on the tawa. It absorbs spices quickly and evenly, making it ideal for Karachi-style masala fry, coconut curry, light pan-sears, and crispy fried fish.

Freshly sourced, carefully cleaned, and delivered chilled, Irani Paplet is one of the easiest, most versatile fish options for everyday home cooking.

Similar Fish to Try

If you enjoy the soft, mild taste of Irani Paplet, you may also like:
White Pomfret (Safaid Paplet), Seabream (Safaid Dandia) — all light, tender & family-friendly options.

Flavor Profile

Most of the time our customers want it to be skinned and headless, but still on the bone. “Easy to fillet, the flesh is mild flavored and has an almost ‘chickenability’ in regards to how you can cook it.

Nomenclature

• English Name: Leatherjacket, Unicorn leatherjacket
• Local Name: Irani Paplet, chappal
• Scientific Name: Aluterus monoceros

Habitat

Irani Paplet is a Sea fish that mainly lives in Semi-pelagic regions on the continental shelf.

Catching Method

Leather Jacket Fish is caught using bottom trawls and gillnets.

Physical Attributes

Leather Jacket (Irani Paplet Fish) do not have scales on the body. The body is moderately deep and compressed. They have smooth leathery skin. The snout profile is straight to convex. The anal fin is with 47–53 soft rays, and the pectoral fins are with 15 soft rays. The rudimentary pelvic spine is plate-like which tends to disappear in large fish.

Color

They have a uniform or mottled greenish-grey body with distinctive bright orange fins. The skin is tough and leathery, giving it the name ‘Leather jacket’.

Size

On average, the leather Jacket fish size range is 500 – 2000 grams per fish. However, larger sizes are also occasionally available.

Cutting Preferences

Superb in curries, the leather jacket also excels when baked, grilled, and even deep-fried. We suggest it to be “cooked on the bone, where they remain soft and juicy and absorb the rich flavor of the bones.

Approx. Cutting Yields

• Whole: 100%
• Gutted: 70%
• Headless and Gutted: 50%
• Slices: 50%
• Boneless: 35%

Why Choose Leather Jacket (Irani Paplet) from Anbar Fish?

Soft, Mild-Flavored Meat – Perfect for all ages
Very Easy to Cook – Softens quickly and absorbs masala well
Low Smell, Clean Taste – Ideal for light recipes
Budget-Friendly Premium Fish – Great value for money
Fresh & Hygienic – Cleaned, washed & chilled delivery

Health Benefits of Leather Jacket Fish

High in Lean Protein – Supports daily nutrition
Low Fat & Low Calories – Great for healthy diets
Omega-3 Rich – Good for heart, brain, and skin
Packed with B-Vitamins – Helps energy & metabolism
Minerals like Selenium & Phosphorus – Boosts immunity & bone health

Cooking Inspiration

Irani Paplet Fry – Crispy edges with soft white meat
Leather Jacket Masala Curry – Mild fish that absorbs spices beautifully
Tawa Fry Paplet – A Karachi-style favorite
Pan-Seared Fillet – Light, healthy, and perfect for quick meals
Coconut Cream Curry – Coastal-style, smooth, and rich

Pro Tip: Because the skin is thin, marinate lightly and cook on medium heat for the best texture.

Leather Jacket (Irani Paplet) — FAQ