Reliable Market

I've been shopping here for years. Reliable Market is my favorite Asian grocery store in the Boston area. To start with, it's in Union Square, which is generally an excellent place to spend time, so the location is great. The store itself is family-run. Paul curates one of the best beer selections you'll find in Somerville, and I don't say that lightly. The grocery selection is second to none. All kinds of hard-to-find fresh, dried, fermented, and canned goods you simply won't find at other local stores - even in Chinatown for some items. You'll also find distinct produce not available at chain grocery stores such as Thai basil, for example. Good luck finding that one anywhere else nearby. Great wine and sake selection as well. The restaurant in the back is a hidden gem. Their chef will cook you all kinds of wonderful comfort foods and there are a few seats, or you can get it to go. The density of high quality items makes this store a fascinating wonderland of culinary adventure to browse. I come here regularly just to look around and try things, and I always leave with a few things. Never change, Reliable Market! Somerville needs you!

Great market for Japanese & Korean items, very organized and great variety of different things to choose from. Selection of different types of rice from short grain to long grain. They also have some good cuts of beef to take home to cook as well as prepping items of Asian inspired dishes, a lot of different wines & sake as well. Overall love the extensive items available and friendly service

Pillar of the community. Great beer and sake selection. Respectable wine selection. Paul works evenings and is super nice and eager to chat about selection whenever you have a question. Got most you could ask for for last minute dinner shopping - some of the white people veg bears a second glance sometimes, but usually all the produce is fresh, and the asian produce is always in great shape in my experience. Dank kimchi of many varieties in the back as well as reasonably priced sushi cuts. 10/10 rivals market basket

What a market! Incredible selection similar to H Mart - but with a killer craft beer selection. Vegetables, meat, seafood & frozen section. Extensive dry goods and spices.

There is also a restaurant with a strong emphasis on Korean food - and it’s delicious and affordable. Counter service, long communal table. Perfect for the market!

I’m in love with this place! I spent 6 months in Japan and as a result became a sake enthusiast, and this place alone has allowed me to continue my fascination with the precious beverage. Their collection is kind of insane - the pictures don’t even show the special stuff in the fridge.

And if this alone weren’t enough, they have delicious prepared food, including fresh sushi and all the other Asian tastiness you could ever ask for.

The people who work there are very friendly and helpful, and have multiple times given me wonderful food suggestions.

Prices are usually pretty decent, sometimes things are slightly overpriced but I’m happy to support such awesome people.

Good selection of Asian goods (mostly Korean products). Prices are pretty reasonable and, while it's on the smaller side for a grocery store, it's a good choice when you don't want to trek out to one of the H Marts.

This review is long overdue. I've been going to this grocery store for over 7 years. They have great selection, especially the ones they make, ie homemade kimchi (they have a vegetarian/vegan version as as well) schiracha sauce etc. The owners are super friendly and helpful! So if you want to avoid the hassle and traffic of H-mart just come here instead

Surprisingly good cider and beer selection, plus a variety of Asian ingredients from a range of brands. Fairly small store but manages to fit a lot of stuff into it - they have a good fridge and freezer section, some produce and a small prepared foods section in the back. And very friendly staff!

Awesome store! Lots of great Chinese/Korean/Japanese grocery items and produce, plus a huge alcohol section. Hidden jem for sure!

Friendly service with a wide array of East Asian staples and grocery items plus a really good selection of sake and craft beers. Their kimchi is some of the best I’ve had in the Boston area! Stopping at Reliable is a highlight of many trips to Union Square.

Incredible variety of items! Everything you need from fresh produce to pickled delights, beer and sake is so broad in range and accommodates so many price ranges. It is a wonderful thing to find such a considerate array of condiments, ready to eat dishes, and practically any meal you want. I didn’t come in with too much of a plan and felt so welcome to just drift around that I know I’ll be back to make more conscious selections. But wow, what a place!

Best boston stop for everything you've longed for but couldn't find. Great alcohol selection. Big snack collection from korea and japan. Noodles and sauces of all kinds. Fresh and frozen veg and seafood.

Great authentic Asian market with everything you could possibly need! We got this awesome rice cooker from there and the staff is always friendly and helpful.

I go there sometimes for east Asian groceries and produce. What really impresses me is their large selection of sake, soju, and many other wines. And now they have a good craft beer section as well!

The variety of offerings of vegetables and frozen items is great. The sauces are also good though sometimes a little overpriced compared to over places (also occasionally past expiration date so watch out for that). They grind their meat more coursely that most places, which I really like, and overall their meat and seafood counter is excellent. After years of going here, I also recently discovered the hot food offerings are excellent and portion sizes good. Overall really happy to have a shop like this around.

Best hidden gem beer shop in the entire city! Also if you're looking for hard to find Asian ingredients look no further, place rules

My beloved reliable market is so reliable ❤ 💖 small as it may seem, it has the widest selection of both Asian (including East and Southeast Asian) and American food in the area. Highlights include quality Japanese & Korean snacks and all the ALCOHOLS (sakes, beers, wines, hard ciders, ...). The staff are always friendly as well!!! Stayed open during the pandemic and I am so grateful for this essential neighborly place

100% accurate name (before 8pm).
Their kimchi is amazing and the frozen aisle has a lot of interesting stuff to discover

Truly fantastic. Super helpful, kind staff. Great selection of spices, snacks, craft beers, and sake - among many other treats, like imported Kit Kat flavors and other rarer domestic snacks, as well as a wonderful prepared foods section in back by the fresh seafood. Free customer parking in adjacent parking lot in back if you're on foot or arriving via public transportation. I have only good vibes for Reliable Market and only good things to say.

Reliable has a pretty apt name. The produce is always incredibly fresh, and they carry all the staples for Asian cuisine; I've never left this store wanting for anything. The focus is definitely on Japanese and Korean products, but the staff are always happy to suggest alternatives if you need a specific ingredient. Whether you're looking for cookware, dishes, fresh food, lunch, or non-perishables, this market will be your new favourite. Consider parking at Bronwyn if you have to drive, as the pay-for-parking model is available by app, so you never have to worry about walking far with your haul of goodies.

(also, for craft beer lovers; they carry Lawson's sip of sunshine and many, many more. Many brands are showcased in the second room.)