I lived but a mile away from Mitsu-Ken Okazu & Catering when it was on School Street, but never stopped in. There was always too much of a line and no parking on the highly trafficked street.

So now that it’s moved even farther away, to the Middle Street area, of course I had to be there to check out the new digs. The space — next to First Hawaiian Bank — is bigger, the parking abundant, and the line has traveled with the restaurant, which these days is less okazuya and more plate-lunch spot. To stand there and leisurely pick various food items seems too inconsiderate for today’s fast-paced life, when everyone simply wants to grab their breakfast or lunch and go. It’s far easier to place your plate or bento order and wait yourself than to hold up the rest of the line by ogling and picking out adobo, teriyaki meatballs ($2.10), fried saimin ($1.40) and nishime ($2.10) a la carte. Besides, by 10 a.m., what I consider a civilized time for the first meal of the day, okazu pickings are slim.

As always, the Mitsu-Ken bento ($6.50) flies out the door, with its combo of teri beef, one slice of Spam, half a hot dog, kamaboko-and-green-onion-flecked egg, furikake rice and three pieces of its popular garlic chicken, tender and boneless, with a mouthwatering, candylike glaze. The plastic box is packed so tight, two rubber bands can barely hold it closed.

For early risers on a budget, a breakfast pack starts at $3.25 for a scoop of rice, a one-egg omelet and three pieces of Portuguese sausage.

The new address is 2300 N. King St. (across from New City Nissan). Hours are sill 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays. Catering is also available. Call 848-5573.

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