88. Fortune Cookies

74 snips

Apr 14, 2025

Discover the surprising origins of fortune cookies, which are not actually Chinese! Explore the fascinating journey of how they became a staple in American dining culture. Learn about the stunning evolution from handmade treats to automated production lines. Uncover the success story of a noodle magnate who transformed his family's fortunes. Dive into the cultural significance these cookies hold, sparking joy and conversation among diners who crack them open in search of wisdom.

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ANECDOTE

Fortune Cookie Origin

Jennifer 8. Lee, author of "The Fortune Cookie Chronicles," initially believed fortune cookies were Chinese.
She later investigated and found they likely originated in 19th-century Japan.

INSIGHT

Japanese Ancestry

Fortune cookies, called "tsujiura senbei" in Japan, have a nuttier, miso flavor.
Japanese immigrants brought them to California, where they spread to Chinese restaurants.

ANECDOTE

WWII Popularization

During World War II, soldiers stationed in San Francisco encountered fortune cookies.
Upon returning home, they requested them at their local Chinese restaurants, increasing demand.

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