Anyone know the secret to perfect bagels?

[bini_colet]

I've been making bagels at home, but they're missing that bakery-level perfection. I'm wondering if there's a secret ingredient or technique that really makes them stand out. Anyone willing to share their pro tips for achieving that perfect bagel? Would really appreciate it!

 

[chiumui]

One tip that really helped me get that bakery-quality texture was boiling the bagels in water with a touch of barley malt syrup. It gives them that beautiful chewy crust.