The Latin American restaurant scene just got a major boost with today’s official opening of Nacionsushi in Doral, Miami: marking the beloved Panama-founded brand’s first-ever U.S. location. After transforming the Asian dining experience across 40+ international markets since 2014, this vibrant concept is finally bringing its signature blend of oversized sushi rolls, immersive design, and high-energy atmosphere to American diners.
For food and beverage industry professionals watching international expansion trends, Nacionsushi’s U.S. debut represents more than just another restaurant opening: it’s a case study in how bold, culturally adaptive concepts can successfully cross borders while maintaining their authentic identity.
The Brand That Redefined Asian Dining in Latin America
Founded in Panama in 2014 by CEO Milton Reyes and his dynamic team, Nacionsushi didn’t just open another sushi restaurant: they completely reimagined what Asian dining could be in Latin America. Instead of following the traditional minimalist aesthetic associated with Japanese cuisine, they embraced bold fuchsia, orange, and purple color schemes, oversized graphics, neon lighting, and deep house beats.
This daring approach proved wildly successful, expanding from a single Panama location to become one of Latin America’s most successful hospitality exports. The brand now operates in 11 international markets including Colombia, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Spain, establishing itself as what industry experts call a “lovemark”: a brand that generates deep emotional connection with its customers.
“Bringing Nacionsushi to the United States is about more than opening a new location: it’s about sharing the way we see dining,” said Milton Reyes, CEO of Nacionsushi. “We’ve built a brand that thrives on curiosity, inclusivity, and fun, and Miami is the perfect city to join our Nacion: a borderless community that celebrates flavor, culture, and connection.”
Menu Innovation Meets Dietary Inclusivity
What sets Nacionsushi apart in the crowded Asian dining market isn’t just its aesthetic: it’s the menu philosophy that prioritizes both innovation and inclusivity. At the center of their offerings are the famous XL rolls, protein-packed and rice-light creations available in over 30 bold varieties that cater to contemporary dining preferences.
The Doral location’s menu showcases the brand’s commitment to dietary diversity with clearly marked vegetarian, gluten-friendly, and keto-friendly options: a strategic move that aligns perfectly with current food and beverage trends toward inclusivity and health-conscious dining.
Signature Menu Highlights
The Miami debut brings several standout dishes that demonstrate Nacionsushi’s innovative approach to Asian fusion:
- Crispy Sushi Pizzas: Made with toasted sushi rice bases topped with fresh ingredients like smoked salmon, tuna, crab, and vegetables
- Taquitos Tuk Tuk: Featuring tuna tartare and avocado in a creative presentation
- Flame-seared Nigiri Trío: Layered with cheese and yellow chili sauce for a Latin twist
- Onigiris: Fluffy Japanese rice with golden crispy exteriors filled with salmon, tuna, or chicken
- Thai-inspired Laab Tacos: Wrapped in lettuce for a fresh, healthy option
- Nasi Goreng: Indonesia’s iconic fried rice, wok-tossed with vegetables, coconut milk, and finished with an egg tortilla spiral
For food and beverage directors looking to understand successful menu innovation, Nacionsushi’s approach demonstrates how traditional dishes can be reimagined through cultural fusion while maintaining authenticity and appeal.
Beverage Program Amplifies the Experience
The beverage program mirrors the creativity found throughout the food menu, featuring cocktails, infusions, and juices designed to complement the bold flavor profiles. The signature Sangría Nación: offered two-for-one all day, every day: has become a brand trademark, while creative options like the Tangy Ginger Fizz, floral Tokyo Rose, and spirited Japanese Mule showcase the mixology team’s commitment to matching the food’s innovative spirit.
House infusions including Apple & Aromatic Herbs and Ginger & Honey add depth to the program, while freshly pressed blends like Passionfruit with Ginger and the vibrant Nación Juice (orange, pineapple, basil, and honey) cater to the growing demand for fresh, natural beverage options in the food service industry.
Multi-Environment Design Philosophy
Perhaps nowhere is Nacionsushi’s innovation more evident than in their approach to restaurant design. The creators envisioned each location as a space where every corner invites guests to travel and dream: what they call “urban fantasy inspired by Asia” that awakens the senses and transports diners to another dimension.
The Miami location features Nacionsushi’s signature multi-environment design, conceived as a journey across distinct spaces:
The Five Distinct Dining Environments
“La Central” serves as the main dining room, energized with striking imagery and tabletops adorned with postage stamps from across Asia: a design element that reinforces the brand’s travel-inspired identity.
“El Comedor de Vietnam” offers a vibrant, communal experience with high tables and columns stamped with immigration seals, specifically designed for group dining experiences.
Thai Lounge creates a nature-meets-culture environment surrounded by vertical gardens and Thai symbols, offering a more relaxed atmosphere within the same space.
The Customs provides warmth and coziness with tapestries and soft furnishings for intimate dining experiences.
“El Callejón de Tokyo” (Tokyo’s Alley) transforms the restaurant’s bathroom corridor into a neon-lit alley that transports guests straight to Tokyo, complete with murals, lights, and sounds designed as the restaurant’s most Instagram-worthy spot.
For hospitality industry professionals, this multi-environment approach offers valuable insights into maximizing space utilization while creating distinct experiences that encourage longer visits and repeat customers.
Industry Implications and Market Strategy
Nacionsushi’s U.S. entry through Miami represents a strategic choice that food and beverage industry analysts should note. Miami’s position as a gateway between Latin America and the United States provides the perfect testing ground for a brand that has already proven successful in Latin American markets.
The timing coincides with several key food and beverage trends:
- Growing consumer demand for authentic international cuisines
- Increased acceptance of fusion concepts that blend cultural influences
- Rising importance of Instagram-worthy dining environments
- Consumer preference for inclusive menu options accommodating various dietary needs
Alex Vallejos, Owner Operator of Nacionsushi Miami, explains the brand’s adaptability: “Our goal is to create a dining experience that feels fresh, modern, and distinctly Nacion: crafted with refined flavors, inventive combinations, and an energy that’s open to all. Miami’s global character reflects our own: we’re not defined by borders or age groups.”
Location and Operating Details
The new Nacionsushi location occupies space in Doral Square Shopping Mall at 8700 NW 36th Street, Miami, FL 33178. Operating hours cater to both lunch and dinner crowds: Sunday through Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Reservations can be made via OpenTable or by calling (786) 391-4541, with additional information available at nacionsushi.com and on Instagram at @nacionsushiusa_.
The Road Ahead
With Miami established as their U.S. beachhead, Nacionsushi has already announced plans for Buenos Aires expansion, indicating continued international growth. For food and beverage companies and restaurant operators, the brand’s success formula offers valuable lessons in cultural adaptation, menu innovation, and creating immersive dining experiences that transcend traditional category boundaries.
The opening of Nacionsushi’s first U.S. location represents more than just another restaurant debut: it signals the arrival of a dining concept that has successfully proven its ability to adapt and thrive across diverse international markets while maintaining its core identity of borderless, inclusive, and joyfully unexpected dining experiences.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
