"Fake" Paneer at Gauri Khan’s Torii? YouTuber Sparks Viral Controversy, Restaurant Responds

Gauri Khan’s upscale Mumbai restaurant ‘Torii’ has landed in the spotlight after YouTuber and influencer Sarthak Sachdeva alleged that it served “fake” paneer. In a now-viral video, Sarthak conducted an iodine tincture test on a paneer dish at Torii, claiming the paneer turned black on contact—indicating the presence of starch, a common sign of adulteration.

Sarthak dramatically declared, “Shah Rukh Khan ke restaurant mein paneer nakli tha. Ye dekh ke mere toh hosh udd gaye the,” expressing his shock over the results at a restaurant linked to Bollywood royalty. His visit to Torii was part of a content series testing the quality of paneer served at celebrity-owned restaurants in Mumbai. Other stops included Virat Kohli’s One8 Commune, Shilpa Shetty’s Bastian, and Bobby Deol’s Someplace Else—none of which showed similar results in the iodine test.

The video generated buzz across social media, prompting a swift response from Team Torii. In the comment section, 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.”

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Sarthak responded cheekily, “So am I banned now? btw ur food is amazing.”

Gauri Khan, a noted interior designer and entrepreneur, owns Gauri Khan Designs and has curated spaces for numerous Mumbai restaurants and celebrity homes. Torii, her latest venture, blends high-end design with curated dining—making the allegations all the more newsworthy.

While opinions remain divided online, the video has reignited conversation around food quality and transparency in high-end dining experiences.

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