Hawk & Chick is a takeout spot specializing in hearty bento boxes filled with Korean home-cooked foods and a few Japanese options too. 

Chef Joe Kim—whose prior gigs include Hanmoto, Pinky's Ca Phe, and Momofuku, to name a few—embarks on his first solo endeavour with a lean menu of lunches that are essential for those on the go. 

Taking over an old shoe repair shop with high ceilings, the space feels pretty big, with an open kitchen and a sunny mural from artist Jennifer Ilett.

Menu items may change here and there, but the basis of it is simple.

Bento boxes—which are affordable, considering how much food you get—come with some type of protein and veggies for a balanced, filling meal. Everything comes on a big bed of purple rice.

As is essential for much of Korean cooking, fermented vegetables play a large part in the menu. Pickled veggies come courtesy of Kim's mom's recipes, who you might catch helping out in the kitchen. 

You'll find those veggies alongside other small containers of banchan (Korean side dishes) like spicy fish cakes, spicy braised tofu, and sweet soy lotus root, in the fridge by the register for $2.50 a box.

Bento boxes like the spicy pork bulgogi ($13.99) come with the traditional Korean grilled pork and a bunch of neat little sides.

You'll find pickled yellow radish, napa cabbage kimchi, and korokke, a tasty Japanese croquette filled with bacon and onion. 

A whitefish katsu option ($13.99) has a crab stick slaw, house-made tartar sauce, sesame spinach, and kimchi. 

The karaage chicken ($13.99) will undoubtedly be a popular order because, well, fried chicken. 

It comes with a sweet soy lotus root that's salty but satisfyingly crispy, and their KFC sauce: a mayo aoili sauce which has nothing to do with Kentucky but is still finger-lickin' good. 

A meatless option is the spicy tofu bibimbox ($12.99). You can also get the box with spicy chicken or beef bulgogi. Either way, each order comes with a side of fried egg, burdock root, and housemade gochujang sauce.

There's nothing like a good Korean soup, and Hawk & Chick offers a single option in that department: a massive tofu stew ($9.99).

With egg, shrimp, and a side of purple rice, this satisfying oily and spicy stew will definitely bring the heat when it's cold out. 

The menu also has a rare option to get pressed, flame-torched sushi to go. Apparently aburi sushi is no longer just a fancy sit-down affair: Kim offers two types of rolls, six pieces each, that cost up to $13.99. 

It's hard to find quick takeout options that don't solely consist of greasy, small bites. For anyone who'd rather resolve their hangry-ness with quality food, Hawk & Chick might be a lifesaver.