Okiboru Tsukemen and Ramen owner Justin Lim has decided to dive into the popular world of Nashville hot chicken with an all-new restaurant called “Scoville Hot Chicken.” This restaurant will apparently be opening up next to Crab404 on 4969 Roswell Rd Suite 220, Lim confirmed with What Now Atlanta (WNA) Monday.
Just a few blocks from Lim’s restaurant, Howlin’ Ray’s was open, and Lim noticed one day that there was a huge line of people waiting to eat there. That’s when they decided to wait in line too to see what it was all about — they were in line for nearly three hours. After trying one of these fabled Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, they were “absolutely blown away.”
Lim traveled across LA to try out as many Nashville hot chicken joints they could, until landing in Nashville itself, right at the heart of the growing movement. “I researched the flavors and spiciness of numerous types of peppers and learned all about the Scoville Scale. After more than two years of pursuing my newfound passion, and after countless taste tests with friends and neighbors, I finally launched Scoville Hot Chicken.”
“I’ve tried so many interesting foods during my travels to many parts of the world, but nothing struck me like that spicy fried chicken,” Lim told WNA. They met up with Chef Johnny Ray Zone and was inspired enough by the idea to bring the growing trend to Atlanta with their own concept.
“Scoville Hot Chicken is a story about how inspiration leads to passion, and how the pursuit of a dream can unexpectedly change lives in ways you never imagined,” they said. “I had traveled the world tasting the best Japanese ramen restaurants, and eventually opened my own ramen shop in Los Angeles, which won the Michelin Bib Gourmand award. I was very proud of that award and thought that I’d focus on ramen for the rest of my life.” Scoville Hot Chicken looks to be opening on December 4.
(Edited to clarify Justin Lim’s affiliation with Jakkrit Tuanphakdee and Chef Johnny Ray Zone)
