Gami Chicken is spilling the secret sauce behind its golden crunchy chips, which have just been ranked second across 18 major Australian fast-food franchises by a major food and drink guide. The Korean fast-dining chain, which has grown from a Melbourne laneway to more than 20 stores nationally since its founding in 2006, has been fielding a surge of attention since the ranking landed. Founder Jun Lee says the response has been welcome but not entirely surprising. “Australians love our Korean flavour and our chips have had a loyal following for a number of years. Australians also love crunch and these chips were developed to deliver the same sense of crispness that people associate with Gami chicken.” Crunch that lasts The chips are double-fried, finger-thick and wrapped in a light golden batter built around a single goal: crunch that lasts. They are the most frequently ordered item alongside Gami’s Korean fried chicken, with approximately 20 tons served nationally over the past 12 months. The recipe draws on Korean street food technique, where crispiness and contrast are non-negotiable. The cut was chosen to hold enough potato flavour while keeping its crunch well after frying. “To achieve this, the batter was developed with the goal of creating a chip that is crispy on the outside while still allowing the potato flavour to come through on the inside,” says Lee. “We wanted a cut that would hold enough potato flavour, while also keeping its crunch for longer – even after frying. The unique texture isn’t an accident. It’s inspired by Korean street-food techniques that prioritise crispiness, contrast and pure eating joy. “The thinking was to create chips that were not just a side, but with their own texture, structure and flavour to stand alongside Gami’s famous Korean fried chicken.” Gami’s potato supplier sits in the middle of a farming region, with potatoes processed close to harvest, often on the same day. “Our supplier’s factory is located in the middle of a potato farming region, which means the potatoes can be processed very close to harvest – in many cases on the same day. This was important to us because we wanted to retain as much of the potato’s natural flavour as possible,” says Lee. “Korean food is all about texture, comfort and fun,” says Lee. “There’s an increasing demand for Korean cuisine in Australia and this has been fuelled by the global phenomenon of K-culture. “It has created a wonderful platform for us to introduce our offering to mainstream markets. We aim to make quality Korean food accessible, convenient, and a favourite of every household.” Gami Chicken can be found at more than 20 locations across Australia. Find more food and drink news on Crumb Wire.