Maido! A Marketplace of Japan - Review - Ardmore - Philadelphia - The Infatuation
"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. Food Rundown Bento Boxes For those who are too busy or overwhelmed to decide what to get for lunch, two sizes of pre-made bento boxes are available. While the menu changes daily, we’ve had one with rice, grilled salmon, teriyaki chicken, kabocha squash, boiled potatoes, and pickles. Grab one on your way to work and make your sad-salad colleagues jealous. photo credit: Jonathan Deutsch Okonomiyaki A savory pancake stuffed with your choice of pork, shrimp, vegetables or a mix of all (we recommend the mix) and topped with sweet okonomiyaki sauce, Japanese mayo (eggier than most, and with MSG) and bonito flakes is a must order to share. photo credit: Jonathan Deutsch Donburi Donburi is the catchall term for rice bowls. Maido offers five—pork cutlet, chicken and egg, chicken teriyaki, egg, and tempura shrimp and veggies. The katsudon, a tonkatsu breaded pork cutlet simmered in dashi and onions and topped with a scrambled egg and scallions is our favorite. Be sure to ask for togarashi to add to your taste. Udon Thick udon noodles in a dashi, soy and mirin broth are pure comfort. For extra indulgence, get the tempura udon where the shrimp adds a flavorful oil slick. You’ll thank us. photo credit: Jonathan Deutsch" - Jonathan Deutsch
