Torii Restaurant Responds After Influencer Flags ‘Fake Paneer’ in Gauri Khan’s Eatery — Says Dish Uses Soy-Based Ingredients
Torii Restaurant Responds After Influencer Flags ‘Fake Paneer’ in Gauri Khan’s Eatery — Says Dish Uses Soy-Based Ingredients
Mumbai: A viral video by content creator Sarthak Sachdeva has sparked debate over the authenticity of paneer served at Torii, a high-end restaurant in Bandra designed and co-owned by Gauri Khan. The video, which has gained widespread traction on social media, shows Sachdeva conducting an iodine test on paneer dishes from various celebrity-owned establishments, including those by Virat Kohli and Shilpa Shetty.
In the test, Sachdeva applies iodine tincture to pieces of paneer—if the sample turns blue or black, it indicates the presence of starch, suggesting the paneer may not be purely dairy-based. According to the content creator, the sample from Torii turned black, raising concerns about the use of synthetic or adulterated paneer.
While the paneer from restaurants owned by Kohli and Shetty reportedly passed the test, Torii’s sample has come under scrutiny.
Experts Weigh In on Iodine Test Accuracy
Food safety experts, however, caution against drawing definitive conclusions from iodine tests alone. Although real paneer made from milk proteins typically lacks starch, commercial practices sometimes involve adding starch to enhance texture or volume. Additionally, if paneer is fried in batter or accompanied by soy-based ingredients, residual starch from coatings may affect test results.
“This method is indicative, not conclusive,” an industry expert explained. “The color change could reflect additives in the surrounding dish, not necessarily the paneer itself.”
Torii Responds to the Allegations
Amid growing online speculation, Torii addressed the controversy directly by commenting under Sachdeva’s Instagram post. The restaurant clarified that their dishes may contain soy-based ingredients, which could account for the iodine reaction.
“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 restaurant stated.
Despite not disclosing the name of their paneer supplier, Torii emphasized its commitment to quality and authenticity.
About Torii: A Celebrity Dining Spot
Located in Mumbai’s upscale Bandra neighbourhood, Torii is known for its progressive Asian cuisine and elegant interiors, curated by Gauri Khan herself. The restaurant’s menu features sushi, sashimi, cold dishes, and an eclectic range of Asian-inspired plates.
As the discussion over food quality in celebrity restaurants intensifies, patrons are encouraged to view the iodine test results in context and consider the restaurant’s explanation before drawing conclusions.
