Don’t Runaway pop-up at Joo Chiat
Huh? Free food in Singapore? Yes, really. Don’t Runaway is a new pop-up along Joo Chiat promising to serve up free sandwiches, as well as exclusive merch starting from 29th August 2025. And the best part is: there’s no end date to the pop-up at the time of writing, so you seriously can keep coming back for complimentary treats until further notice.
What is Don’t Runaway?
Image adapted from: Don’t Runaway
If the names Champion Bolo Bun and Dickson Nasi Lemak ring a bell, then you’ll want to pay attention. Don’t Runaway is their latest brainchild, and this time, they’re serving up American-style sandwiches – the kind that pack comforting yet bold flavours between 2 slices of bread.
Expect a lineup of sandwiches in unique flavours and sauces, and a menu that changes whenever inspiration strikes. Each weekend, a different sandwich will be featured, and you’ll be able to redeem 1 per person. More on the menu further down.
How to redeem a free sandwich?
Image credit: Don’t Runaway
All you have to do is download the Don’t Runaway app (App Store | Google Play) and sign up as a member for free. Then, gather your friends and family for what Singaporeans do best – queue up for free things.
Head down to the pop-up, flash your in-app QR code, and you’ll get to redeem a sandwich together with a can of Coca-Cola.
What are the terms & conditions?
Image credit: Don’t Runaway
We mean it when we said “no strings attached” – there’s no fine print when it comes to redeeming the free sandwich. Just note that each member is limited to 1 sandwich per weekend, from Fridays to Sundays.
But if you’d like to show your support for the folks behind Don’t Runaway, you’re more than welcome to leave feedback on the app. This will help the team refine their offerings in preparation for their brick-and-mortar store.
You won’t know what sandwich is being featured for that weekend till they announce it on their socials, so if you’re looking out for a specific flavour, you’ve got to keep track and head down that particular weekend.
What’s the menu like at Don’t Runaway?
The Side Chick (left) and Mortadel-lah (right).
Image adapted from: Don’t Runaway
So, what exactly is on the menu? There’s The Side Chick, a smoked chicken sandwich topped with pumpkin seed dukkah for a satisfying crunch. Cheese lovers will enjoy the Mortadel-lah that’s packed with stacks of mortadella, a touch of house-made salsa verde, and of course, creamy stracciatella cheese.
Beef Me Up (left) and Jack & Loaded (right).
Image adapted from: Don’t Runaway
Beef Me Up features yakiniku beef brisket, peanut butter, and house-made tallow chilli crunch for that kick spice junkies love. Or, go for the Jack & Loaded, a plant-based sandwich made with smoky jackfruit chilli that’s still big on flavours.
Get there early to redeem free merch
Image credit: Don’t Runaway
Don’t Runaway will also be giving away free merch to the early birds, so this is the time to embrace the kiasu Singaporean in you and show up before they start handing them out at 11.30am.
The first 20 people in line will receive a keychain, tote bag, and iron-on patch on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, respectively.
“No such thing as a free lunch” till you visit the Don’t Runaway pop-up
Image adapted from: @dontrunaway.official & @lilmarshlo via Instagram
They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch – but clearly, they haven’t been to Don’t Runaway. With yummy food and vibes that don’t take themselves too seriously, this pop-up is proving that sometimes, the best things in life really are free.
Follow Don’t Runaway on Instagram for the latest updates.
Date: Every Fri-Sun from 29th Aug 2025
Time: From 11.30am till sold out
Address: 320 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427571
More free things in Singapore:
Cover image adapted from: @lilmarshlo via Instagram, Don’t Runaway