What is Chin-Chin?
Chin-chin is a beloved, light, buttery, crispy snack that began in Sierra Leone in the 1940s. It gained popularity in Nigeria and my family has guarded our recipe for over five decades.
As its newest conservator, it is my honor to bring our chin-chin to people all over the world! Feel free to send us your ‘love at first bite’ videos of Mikey’s Gourmet Chin-Chin on our Instagram page!
Mikey's Message
This beloved snack has been a part of my family for years. Passed down from my dear mother whom I affectionately call “The Mama”. She lovingly crafted each batch by hand and the aroma of freshly made Chin-Chin would fill the air in the kitchen.
Surulere - Lagos, Nigeria was where I was born, raised and buttered. My brother, childhood friend, and I would sneak in the kitchen to fill our pockets with the cooling chin-chin and eat to our hearts content as we’d watch TV.
As I grew older I found myself standing next to her, learning what made her chin-chin so popular in the neighborhood. The Mama retired from chin-chin making in 2008 and in the blink of an eye, there was no more. In 2013, I got a craving for it and thought I’d try my hand at it. The taste immediately brought me back to five year old me. And so, Mikey's Gourmet Chin-Chin was born - a tribute to my mother's legacy and a celebration of the flavors and traditions of West Africa.
Each batch of Mikey's Gourmet Chin-Chin is made with the same care and attention to detail that my mother put into her recipe. We use only the finest ingredients, and we never compromise on quality. Our Chin-Chin is not just a snack - it's a connection to our heritage, a reminder of the love and warmth that my mother brought into our lives. We hope that with every bite of Mikey's Gourmet Chin-Chin, you'll feel a little bit of that love too.
Thank you for joining us on this journey, and for supporting our mission to share the flavors and traditions of West Africa with the world.
Sincerely,
Michael "Mikey" Lawanson
Pictured: The mama (middle), my friend (top right), my brother (bottom left), and I (top left) making chin-chin in Benin.