Behind the Beads and Bento: Dekotora Rewires Miami’s Sushi Scene with Japanese Precision and Neon Drama

Source: Dekotora

Reported By: Caroline Dalal

Miami’s dining scene has no shortage of flash, but rarely does it deliver restraint wrapped in spectacle. Dekotora—a 12-seat, reservation-only sushi den hidden behind a vintage cigarette machine in Niño Gordo—pulls off both. Named after Japan’s “decorated trucks” culture, this Japanese dining experience doesn’t just flirt with aesthetic maximalism. It leans all the way in.

Inside, kinetic wall projections, truck-inspired seating, and polished metal accents transport diners straight into a Tokyo side street—if that side street happened to serve pristine fish flown in from Japan.

At the heart of Dekotora is Chef Carlos García, whose name might ring a bell from his time at Sushi by Scratch. Known for his no-frills, ingredient-first style, García isn’t trying to outdo Miami’s parade of OTT rolls. Instead, he’s rewriting the script—one perfect cut at a time.

His minimalist omakase centers on high-caliber ingredients like buttery A5 Wagyu, imported Japanese fish, and a rice blend he honed over four years. There's no foam, no edible gold leaf, no soy-sauce-soaked theatrics. Just pure, precise technique paired with creative yet respectful interpretations of Japanese cuisine.

García’s mission? To let the ingredients speak—whisper, even—while delivering flavors that linger long after the final bite.

Just because García’s sushi is understated doesn’t mean the rest of the experience plays it safe. The cocktail program is a sensory experiment, engineered with the same obsessive attention to detail as the food. Expect Japanese spirits, hand-cut ice, and high-voltage presentation.

Highlights include:

Neon Skyline

• A vivid mix of shiso-infused Patrón and Mijenta Tequila that balances herbaceous notes with bold agave heat.

Electric Midnight

• Toki whisky meets tamarind, curry, coconut, and lime—an unexpectedly elegant blend that turns heads and sips smoothly.

And yes, some of these cocktails actually glow, matching the pulse of the projections that dance across the dining room walls.

Dekotora is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., with 12 seats per seating to keep things intimate and intentional. The space is also available for private bookings, with curated programming slated to debut later this season.