It seems like we have every kind of Japanese restaurant in Philly, from casual ramen shops like Terakawa or Tataki to whole-paycheck-but-worth-it omakase experiences like Royal Sushi or Ogawa Sushi and Kappo. But the Japanese restaurant in shortest supply is the casual lunch counter—the Japanese equivalent of the diner, where office workers and commuters grab a quick udon, donburi, or tonkatsu while waiting for their train or on a lunch break. Ardmore’s Maido, inside the kawaii Japanese grocery store of the same name, has just the kind of lunch counter we want more of. We love their okonomiyaki, katsudon, and all their comforting udon soups. Order at the counter and grab some of the (limited) seating surrounding the open kitchen. Stop in for lunch in between errands at Suburban Square, or take out a bento to level-up your brown bag lunch.