Fortune cookie

Origins and disputed history

The exact origin of the fortune cookie is a subject of historical debate, with competing claims from Japanese and Chinese immigrant communities in California. A cookie similar in appearance, known as tsujiura senbei, was made in Kyoto, Japan, as far back as the 19th century. This Japanese version was slightly larger, made with a darker dough containing sesame and miso, and had a fortune slip wedged into its bend. The tradition of random fortunes, or omikuji, at Japanese temples is considered a likely inspiration for the concept. In the United States, Makoto Hagiwara, who managed the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, is reported to have served the modern version as early as the 1900s, with cookies supplied by the San Francisco bakery Benkyodo.

Alternative claims credit David Jung, founder of the Hong Kong Noodle Company in Los Angeles, with inventing the cookie in 1918. Another Los Angeles claimant is Seiichi Kito, founder of Fugetsu-do in Little Tokyo, who said he took inspiration from Japanese omikuji. In 1983, San Francisco's Court of Historical Review attempted to settle the dispute, ruling in favour of Hagiwara's San Francisco origin story, a decision condemned by the city of Los Angeles. Until around World War II, these confections were known as fortune tea cakes, reflecting their Japanese tea cake origins. The war and the internment of Japanese Americans created an opportunity for Chinese American manufacturers to dominate the fortune cookie industry, which then became firmly associated with Chinese restaurants.

Ingredients and traditional production

Fortune cookies are made from a simple batter typically consisting of flour, sugar, egg whites, vanilla, and sesame seed oil. Some recipes may use melted butter or almond extract for flavour. The key to their distinctive crisp texture is the high sugar content, which crystallizes as the cookie cools. Before automation, the process was entirely manual and required precise timing. Bakers would pour small circles of batter onto a hot griddle and bake them for about a minute. While still warm and pliable, a fortune slip would be placed in the centre, and the cookie would be quickly folded into its familiar shape using chopsticks or by hand, often with a bend over the edge of a mould or the rim of a cup.

The warm dough must be shaped within seconds before it cools and hardens, making traditional production a skilled craft. The fortunes themselves are printed on thin strips of paper, which are inserted just before folding. This handmade method is still used by some smaller bakeries and for speciality or custom orders. The basic recipe yields a lightly golden, crisp wafer with a subtle vanilla and sesame flavour, though variations in ingredients can alter the colour and taste slightly. The cookies have minimal nutritional value, typically containing between 20 and 30 calories each, with small amounts of carbohydrates, sugar, and sodium.

Automation and modern manufacturing

The fortune cookie industry was transformed by the invention of the fortune cookie machine by Edward Louie in the late 1960s. This automation allowed for mass production, dramatically lowering costs and making the cookies a ubiquitous courtesy dessert. Today, an estimated three billion fortune cookies are made globally each year, with the majority consumed in the United States. The largest manufacturer is Wonton Food, Inc., based in Brooklyn, New York, which produces over 4.5 million cookies daily. Other significant producers include Baily International in the Midwest and Peking Noodle in Los Angeles, alongside smaller regional factories.

Modern manufacturing follows a highly efficient, conveyor-based process. The batter is mixed in large tanks and deposited onto heated, fast-moving trays that cook the dough. Round hot plates compress and shape the cookies as they bake for approximately one minute. Automated machinery then places the fortune slip and folds the soft cookie into its final shape before it cools and hardens. The finished cookies are mechanically counted, packaged in plastic wrappers, and shipped. While most fortune cookies are now produced in the United States using these automated methods, the hand-folded technique persists in some establishments, preserving a link to the cookie's artisanal past.

The fortunes and their cultural role

The paper slip inside a fortune cookie, simply called a fortune, usually contains an aphorism, a vague prophecy, a piece of advice, or a list of lucky numbers. Some slips also include a Chinese phrase with an English translation. The messages are generally positive, offering encouragement, wisdom, or predictions of good luck. The lucky numbers printed on the back are sometimes used by people as lottery numbers, a practice that once led to an investigation when 110 Powerball winners shared a prize after using numbers from Wonton Food fortunes in 2005. The fortunes are printed in large batches, with relatively few distinct messages in circulation at any time.

Fortunes have also been used for marketing and promotional campaigns. For instance, the film Kung Fu Panda 3 was promoted by placing quotations from the protagonist on fortune cookie slips. Some companies specialize in creating custom fortunes for events, businesses, or personal messages. The act of reading and sharing the fortune at the end of a meal is a social ritual in Canadian Chinese restaurants, often sparking lighthearted discussion or debate. Despite their American invention, the cookies have been imported into other markets, sometimes as novel American products, though an attempt to introduce them to mainland China in 1992 failed as they were considered too American.

Fortune cookies in Canada and globally

In Canada, fortune cookies are a standard and expected conclusion to a meal at most Chinese restaurants, mirroring their role in the United States. They are served as a complimentary dessert, offered as an act of kindness or a surprise by restaurant staff. The cookie's presence in Canadian dining culture is so ingrained that many Canadians may not be aware of its non Chinese origins. Beyond North America, fortune cookies are served in Chinese restaurants in numerous countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Mexico, and Brazil, making them a global symbol of Chinese cuisine abroad, despite their absence in China itself.

Multicultural variations of the concept have also emerged. For example, a Mexican version called the Lucky Taco is a red taco shaped cookie with a fortune inside. The same company produces a Lucky Cannoli, inspired by the Italian pastry. These adaptations demonstrate the flexibility of the fortune containing treat as a format. In promotional contexts, brands like the Asian inspired fast food chain Itsu have used fortune cookie giveaways for events like the 2026 new year. For special occasions like Chinese New Year, some confectioners produce premium versions, such as traditional fortune cookies hand dipped in Belgian chocolate.

Making fortune cookies at home

While most people encounter fortune cookies from restaurants or store bought packages, making them at home is a popular culinary project, especially for holidays like Valentine's Day or Chinese New Year. Homemade recipes allow for customization of flavours and personalization of the fortune messages. The process requires attention to detail, as the timing between baking and folding is critical. A typical homemade recipe involves whisking together egg whites, sugar, melted butter or oil, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until frothy, then folding in flour to create a smooth batter.

Small circles of batter are baked in a preheated oven at about 350 degrees Fahrenheit for seven to eight minutes until the edges turn light golden brown. The baker must work quickly once the cookies are removed from the oven. A custom fortune slip is placed on each hot cookie, which is then folded in half to create a semicircle and immediately bent over the edge of a mug or a mould to form the classic shape. The cookies harden within minutes as they cool. This homemade version often has a richer, more buttery flavour compared to the commercial product, which primarily uses sesame oil. Online tutorials, including one from a mother and daughter team in 2026, provide step by step guidance for aspiring home bakers.

Questions about Fortune cookie

Are fortune cookies actually from China?

No, fortune cookies are not a traditional Chinese food. Their origins are traced to Japanese immigrant communities in California in the early 20th century, with a precursor cookie called tsujiura senbei existing in Japan. They became associated with Chinese restaurants in North America after World War II, when Chinese American manufacturers began producing them. Attempts to market them in China have been unsuccessful, as they are considered an American novelty.

What is typically written inside a fortune cookie?

The slip of paper inside, called a fortune, usually contains a brief aphorism, a piece of advice, or a vague prophecy about luck, happiness, or success. Many also include a list of lucky numbers on the back, which some people use for lottery games. Occasionally, fortunes feature a Chinese word or phrase with an English translation. The messages are generally positive and are produced in bulk, so identical fortunes appear in many cookies.

How are fortune cookies made in factories?

Modern fortune cookie production is highly automated. A batter of flour, sugar, vanilla, and sesame oil is mixed and deposited onto heated conveyor belts. The batter cooks into round wafers, which are then mechanically folded. A machine inserts a fortune slip into each soft, hot wafer before another machine folds it into the familiar shape. The cookies cool and harden on the conveyor, are counted, and are packaged in plastic. The largest factory, Wonton Food, makes over 4.5 million cookies per day using this process.

Can you make fortune cookies at home?

Yes, fortune cookies can be made at home, though the process requires speed and precision. A simple batter of egg whites, sugar, flour, and flavourings is baked into small, thin circles. Immediately after removing them from the oven, you must place a custom fortune slip on each cookie and fold it first in half, then over the rim of a cup to create the bend before it hardens. Homemade versions often have a richer, more buttery taste compared to the commercial ones made with sesame oil.

What is the nutritional content of a fortune cookie?

A single fortune cookie is low in calories, typically containing between 20 and 30 kilocalories (80 to 130 kilojoules). It generally has 5 to 7 grams of total carbohydrates, with sugar content varying from 0 to 3 grams. Sodium content is minimal, usually between 2 and 8 milligrams. Due to their very small size, fortune cookies provide little overall nutritional value and are considered a light, symbolic dessert rather than a substantive food item.

Who invented the fortune cookie machine?

The fortune cookie machine was invented by Edward Louie in the late 1960s. This invention revolutionized the industry by enabling mass production. Before this machine, every fortune cookie was folded by hand, a labour intensive process. Automation dramatically reduced the cost of production, which allowed the cookies to become the inexpensive, ubiquitous courtesy dessert found in Chinese restaurants across North America today.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-21.