L.A. Times restaurant critic Jonathan Gold, chef Roy Choi and chef Alvin Cailan taste hot sauces to see if they can find a new personal favorite. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Times restaurant critic Jonathan Gold, from left, chef Alvin Cailan of Eggslut and Ramen Champ and chef Roy Choi of Kogi BBQ, Chego and Pot, pot hot sauces to the test. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
The winner of the hot sauce tasting contest as chosen by Times restaurant critic Jonathan Gold and chefs Roy Choi and Alvin Cailan was ... Spicy Chili Crisp. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Some of the hot sauces sampled at the recent tasting at Ramen Champ, plus lunch from Chego downstairs. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
What some of the judges had for lunch after the hot sauce tasting: the Kung Pau Noodle Bowl from Chego at the Far East Plaza. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
Jonathan Gold, Alvin Cailan and Roy Choi at the hot sauce tasting recorded by Times videographer Myung Chun at Ramen Champ. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
What was on the other counter at Ramen Champ during the hot sauce tasting. (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
No, the folks at Ramen Champ do not make hot sauce in these: They’re for ramen broth. (Maybe they should.) (Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)
