- Saturday, April 19, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Gauri Khan’s upscale Mumbai restaurant Torii has found itself at the center of controversy after a viral video by YouTuber Sarthak Sachdeva claimed the restaurant was serving ‘fake paneer.’ Known for its celebrity clientele and curated interiors by Gauri herself, Torii became the latest target of a viral food quality test that stirred massive online debate. The YouTuber’s iodine test video specifically pointed fingers at the paneer served at the posh eatery, suggesting it was adulterated or synthetic.
In his viral video, Sarthak conducted iodine tests at various celebrity-owned restaurants across Mumbai, including Virat Kohli’s One8 Commune, Shilpa Shetty’s Bastian, and Bobby Deol’s Someplace Else. His method involved peeling off the fried layer of paneer, washing it, and applying iodine tincture to see if the sample turned dark.
While all other restaurants passed the test, Torii’s paneer turned black, prompting Sarthak to exclaim, “Shah Rukh Khan ke restaurant mein paneer nakli tha!” This sparked a social media uproar, with many questioning the authenticity of ingredients used at Torii.
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Reacting to the claims, Gauri Khan’s Torii promptly addressed the issue. In a public comment, the restaurant clarified, “The iodine test reflects the presence of starch, not the authenticity of the paneer. As the dish contains soy-based ingredients, this reaction is expected. We stand by the purity of our paneer and the integrity of our ingredients at Torii.”
The statement emphasizes that the discoloration observed during the test was a result of soy-based components rather than any foul play or substitution of real paneer with synthetic alternatives.
Interestingly, Sarthak Sachdeva responded in a light-hearted manner after the clarification, writing, “So am I banned now? Btw your food is amazing,” indicating no bad blood between the influencer and the restaurant despite the stir caused online.
To further understand the science behind this reaction, Dr Kiran Soni, Head of Nutrition and Health at Yatharth Hospital Greater Noida, weighed in on the iodine test. She explained, “The iodine tincture test is commonly used to detect starch in food. Pure paneer, made from milk protein, shouldn’t react to iodine. If it turns dark, it might indicate the presence of starch — but that doesn’t confirm the paneer is fake.” She further noted that commercial paneer sometimes includes starch for better texture or weight, and residual starch from batter-fried coatings may also lead to a false positive.
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Despite the viral claim, experts and Torii’s own clarification indicate that the iodine test is not a foolproof indicator of food authenticity. While the incident has put Torii under the social media microscope, Gauri Khan’s brand remains firm in defending its culinary standards and ingredient integrity. The episode also underscores the growing influence of food influencers and the need for more nuanced understanding when it comes to viral food testing trends.
For now, Gauri Khan’s Torii continues to serve its celeb crowd while handling criticism with class and transparency.
