Sushi lovers in Orillia have a new spot to satisfy their cravings. SushiMi, a family-owned sushi restaurant, officially opened its doors in late December at 20 Diana Dr. in west Orillia.
The restaurant is the latest venture by Mirasol Maung and her husband, Myint, who bring more than 20 years of experience in the sushi business. The couple previously owned a successful sushi restaurant in Brampton, which they closed in 2022 to focus on family and retirement.
“When we moved here, we had no plans of opening a business,” Maung explained. “The business had tired us out.”
The Maungs relocated to Orillia seeking a quieter life and to support their teenage daughter through school. Initially, they planned to retire and enjoy a slower pace. However, fate had other plans.
After sharing her sushi creations at local gatherings, Maung received overwhelming encouragement from new friends in the community to start a restaurant.
“Everyone was saying, ‘You have to open a sushi place here,’” she said with a laugh. “It became pretty obvious that we should at least look into it.”
Two years later, SushiMi was born, inspired by the couple’s growing passion for bringing a unique sushi experience to Orillia.
“There is a high demand for sushi here, but we noticed there aren’t many options,” Maung said. “It gave us the passion to create something new because we felt like something was missing.”
Since opening, SushiMi has been met with enthusiasm, particularly from students at nearby Lakehead University. The restaurant’s partnership with Country Produce has also allowed their sushi to reach more customers.
“People can get it there for the same price as they get it here,” Maung said. “It’s really nice for us and our customers.”
Maung, who is originally from the Philippines, hopes more retailers will join in carrying their sushi products. She emphasized that SushiMi’s food stands out because it is made fresh daily and can be customized for individual tastes.
“It’s good for people who don’t have time to wait and just need to grab something to go,” Maung said.
“That’s what makes us different from anyone else," said Maung. "You can taste it when it’s coming from the heart. We use fresh ingredients and hand-picked produce. We truly love making it.”
For Maung and her husband, SushiMi is about more than just food — it’s about offering a healthier and heartfelt alternative to typical grab-and-go meals.
“A lot of it is made with vegetables and rice,” Maung noted. “It’s a lot better for you than some of the other options out there.”
The couple say their love for making sushi has been reignited by the warm reception they’ve received in Orillia.
As SushiMi continues to grow, Maung expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received so far.
“We’ve really enjoyed meeting new people in the community,” she said. “Coming here to Orillia has been a blessing for us.”
SushiMi is open Monday to Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is closed on Sundays.
