This striking sushi spot from Latin America opens first U.S. restaurant in Doral

A sushi brand that was created in Panama and has spread throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean is opening its first U.S. location in Doral.

Nacionsushi, which first opened in Panama in 2014, boasts 40 restaurants across 11 markets, including Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Paraguay and Spain. The brand will soon be expanding into Argentina as well.

Doral felt like the right place to bring the brand to the United States, said CEO Milton Reyes.

“It’s a vibrant, multicultural community that mirrors the essence of Nacionsushi — diverse, dynamic, and always evolving,” Reyes said. “Miami as a whole represents connection and global energy, and starting here allows us to share our brand’s spirit of inclusivity, flavor, and celebration with a community that truly understands it.”

The restaurant’s ethos breaks a little from the traditional sushi restaurant format, and its colorful design is evidence. Instead of a more classic atmosphere, Nacionsushi aims to challenge the senses. Expect lots of color — especially fuschsia, orange, purple shades — as well as graphics, neon pop art and a brilliantly lit replica of a cherry blossom tree in the central plaza.

Different parts of the restaurant reflect different sensibilities. In the main dining room, the tables are topped with Asian postage stamps, while a Thai lounge is surrounded by vertical gardens and Thai images.

The Customs Room offers a different look, with tapestries and soft furnishings, while Tokyo’s Alley (the corridor to the restroom) looks like a neon-lit alley and ready for its closeup on your Instagram or TikTok feed.

Throughout, you’ll hear deep house beats on the sound system.

Reyes said the varied design echoes the restaurant’s eclectic vision.

“When we started Nacionsushi in Panama back in 2014, the idea was simple: create a place that felt alive, generous, and fun,” he said. “We didn’t want the usual minimalist look — you’ll find bold colors, neon lights, music that makes you feel good, and a menu that goes far beyond sushi.”

That “beyond” includes the brand’s famous Keto Rolls, which aim to highlight the protein and use less rice than you may be used to (if any). The Crispy Pizzas, made with toasted sushi rice, are even more non traditional, with toppings like smoked salmon, tuna, crab, vegetables or a combination of them all.

A different type of taquitos are on offer, too, with tuna tartare and avocado, as well as a seared nigiri trio with cheese and yellow chili sauce. You’ll also find nasi goreng, Indonesian fried rice tossed with vegetables, soy sauce, spices, coconut milk and an egg tortilla. The menu also offers bao buns, tempuras and noodles, with most dishes designed to be shared.

Nacionsushi also serves the brand’s famous Sangria Nacion, which is always priced two-for-one all day, and a vareity of cocktails, like the ginger fizz, the Tokyo rose and the Japanese mule.

Reyes said Nacionsushi’s goal is to give people “flavors they crave.”

“At Nacion, people don’t just come to eat,” he said. “They come to connect, to celebrate, and to feel part of something bigger. That’s the spirit we’re bringing to Miami.”

Nacionsushi

Where: 8700 NW 36th St., Miami

Opening: Sept. 9

Hours: Noon-10:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; noon-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Reservations: OpenTable

More information: nacionsushi.com or 786-391-4541