A large prawn species prized for its size, firm texture, and sweet flavour. The name is used commercially for several big shrimp species, commonly from the Penaeus genus, farmed or wild-caught in warm waters. King prawns are sold whole or peeled, fresh or frozen, and feature in curries, stir-fries, paellas, and garlic butter preparations. In British fish and chip shops and restaurants, wholetail scampi is traditionally made from langoustine, but the term king prawn covers the larger prawns served in many dishes. As with all seafood, responsible sourcing matters: buyers should look for certified sustainable fisheries or responsibly managed aquaculture.