Don't Runaway's pop-up in Joo Chiat gives away a single bold sandwich every weekend. No repeats, zero chill, and absolutely free!
Don’t Runaway, the new sandwich pop-up in Singapore is hitting Joo Chiat and turning weekends into a full-on taste riot. Launching on 29 August 2025, it’s not your average grab-and-go sando joint. Each weekend, a different sandwich takes centre stage. And the best part? It’s completely free! If you’re already planning a foodie trip to the east, make it a day out and explore some of the best restaurants in Joo Chiat while you’re at it.
Don’t Runaway: Details at a glance
Best for: Sandwich obsessives, foodies, and flavour chasers
When: From 29 August onwards (indefinite run)
Opening hours: Fridays to Sundays, 11.30am till sold out
How much: $0 – sandwiches are free! One per person, per weekend
Address: Don’t Runaway, 320 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427571
The pop-up’s origin story
This bold new concept comes from The Platform Collective, the team behind Champion Bolo Bun and Dickson Nasi Lemak. Founder Hoh Loyi dreamt up Don’t Runaway after a three-month sandwich-fuelled pilgrimage across the United States, sampling everything from pastrami in New York to meatball subs in Chicago.
Her biggest takeaway? A sandwich isn’t just bread and filling – it’s comfort, chaos, and creativity, stacked between two slices. Back in Singapore, nothing hit quite the same. So she built her own: sandwiches that channel big American energy but are zhushed up with an Asian twist. Basically, bigger flavours, unexpected combos, and no rules.
What we had at Don’t Runaway
We managed to get an insider peek into Don’t Runaway’s upcoming menu, and here’s a taste of the trouble you can expect. Warning: we’re not responsible for the drool trail you’ll leave behind…
We kicked things off with The Mortadel-lah, fatty mortadella ham meets creamy stracciatella. It’s a light bite, though we reckon it would’ve benefited more from harder bread, like toasted white bread or a baguette. Thumbs up for the salsa verde and yuzukosho, which add dimensions to the sandwich with their citrusy and mildly spicy flavours. If you’re into the cheese and meat combo, this might be your fave.
The Side Chick may look unassuming, but it truly packs a punch. Think shawarma, but its hotter cousin. The sumac onions and pickled cucumbers offer savoury touches to the smoked chicken, while the white sauce ties everything together.
If beef is your favourite protein, Beef Me Up features yakiniku beef brisket, peanut butter, and tallow chilli crunch rendered from brisket fat and cooked for over four hours. The peanut butter is an interesting choice – according to Loyi, it’s meant to replicate the nuttiness present in dandan mian. This was a close fight for our favourite, but the final sandwich pipped it to the top spot.
Jack & Loaded is a plant-based stack starring jackfruit that is slow-cooked into smoky chilli. We immediately fell in love with this sando after the first bite. It’s moreish with a flavour profile Singaporeans will agree with – spicy, sweet, and savoury. Who said meatless options are boring? This will definitely change your mind…
Free sandwiches, free merch
As if free sandwiches aren’t wild enough, the pop-up’s throwing in exclusive merch for the early birds! Head down to Don’t Runaway as fast as you can (before 11.30am, if you want to beat the crowd) to get your hands on some limited-edition wares that won’t be restocked once they’ve been distributed. The first 20 in line can score a limited-edition keychain on Fridays, a roomy tote on Saturdays, and a pin badge on Sundays.
How to score your free sandwich
Just download the Don’t Runaway app (on the App Store or Google Play), sign up as a member, and flash your in-app QR code at the pop-up. No fine print, no sneaky upsell. Just free food and good vibes. Oh, remember to follow the brand’s Instagram for the menu and any other updates.
Don’t Runaway is the sandwich pop-up you’ll want to queue early for, and a new reason to hang out in Joo Chiat every weekend.
