Why Do Chinese Takeaways Give Out Fortune Cookies?

Fortune cookies are one of those things that everyone associates with Chinese restaurants - small golden biscuits with a folded shape and a short message tucked inside. Yet for many of us who grew up in China, they’re something we first encountered abroad, not at home. The irony is that what most people think of as a traditional Chinese treat is actually a Western creation with roots in Japan and America.

We’re often asked about them by customers curious to know why fortune cookies appear at the end of a meal in some Chinese restaurants but not others. To us, they’re a perfect example of how Chinese cuisine around the world has adapted, evolved, and absorbed new traditions while maintaining its essence. They tell a story of migration, experience, and the way food becomes part of a culture’s shared imagination - even if it didn’t begin there.

In this article, we’ll look at where fortune cookies really came from, how they became connected to Chinese restaurants, and what they represent today. It’s a fascinating journey that crosses borders and shows how perception and authenticity often blend in unexpected ways.

Where Fortune Cookies Actually Come From

Despite being linked to Chinese food, fortune cookies are believed to have originated in Japan. Historical records and researchers trace their earliest versions to Kyoto in the 19th century, where a similar biscuit called tsujiura senbei was made. These Japanese cookies were larger, darker, and contained small paper fortunes tucked into their folds - sound familiar?

When Japanese immigrants moved to the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s, they brought the idea with them. Bakeries in California, particularly in San Francisco and Los Angeles, began producing a lighter, smaller version of the treat - the one we recognise today. Over time, the cookies shifted from being a Japanese snack to a novelty associated with “Oriental” restaurants in general.

After the Second World War, when anti-Japanese sentiment was widespread, many Japanese-owned bakeries closed or sold their machinery. Chinese restaurateurs in America took over production and began serving fortune cookies as a fun addition at the end of meals. That’s when the biscuit found its new identity as a “Chinese restaurant” tradition.

How Fortune Cookies Became Popular in the West

Fortune cookies caught on quickly in the United States during the mid-20th century. They appealed to diners because they added an element of surprise and amusement to the meal —-something light-hearted and memorable. For restaurant owners, they were inexpensive to make and easy to serve, providing a simple way to end a meal on a sweet note.

As Chinese restaurants spread across North America and later the UK, fortune cookies became part of the expected experience for Western diners. Many people assumed they were authentically Chinese because of where they encountered them, even though you won’t find them on a dessert menu in Guangzhou or Beijing.

The habit of including a small message or proverb also matched what people imagined Chinese culture to be like - wise sayings, philosophical thoughts, and lucky numbers. This mix of novelty and stereotype cemented fortune cookies as an icon of Chinese dining abroad, even if their origins were quite different.

Why Fortune Cookies Never Became Common in China

For those of us who grew up in southern China, the concept of fortune cookies always felt foreign. In China, desserts are traditionally subtle - red bean soup, sesame balls, or fresh fruit - rather than baked sweets. When fortune cookies were introduced there by Western companies in the late 20th century, they were viewed more as an American curiosity than a local food.

Most people in China were surprised to learn that the West considered them “Chinese.” It shows how food traditions can transform once they leave their home country. What began as a Japanese treat became part of the Chinese restaurant experience in America, and from there spread to the rest of the world.

Today, fortune cookies are occasionally sold as a novelty item in China, but they’re still seen as something imported - part of the global story of how cultures reinterpret each other’s traditions.

The Symbolism of Fortune Cookies in Western Chinese Dining

In many ways, fortune cookies became a symbol of how Western audiences relate to Chinese cuisine. They capture the idea of luck, wisdom, and mystery - themes often associated with Chinese culture abroad. While they may not be authentic to China itself, they do reflect how Chinese restaurants adapted to meet their customers’ expectations.

To us, this doesn’t make them less meaningful. In fact, fortune cookies show how cultural exchange works in food. They represent a shared experience between cooks and diners - one that’s shaped by both sides. Customers wanted something to end the meal with a smile, and restaurateurs provided it in a way that felt in keeping with the meal’s spirit.

Even without a direct link to traditional Chinese desserts, fortune cookies have become a familiar part of the experience of eating Chinese food in many countries. They remind people of celebration, family dinners, and the fun of cracking one open to see what message awaits inside.

Fortune Cookies and the Idea of Authenticity

It’s natural to ask whether fortune cookies are “authentic.” The answer depends on how we define authenticity. If we mean whether they come from traditional Chinese cuisine, then no - they don’t. But if we think about authenticity as something that reflects genuine cultural experience and adaptation, then fortune cookies are absolutely part of the story.

Chinese restaurants across the world have always balanced heritage and adaptation. From the sauces and ingredients to the way food is served, we adjust to the tastes of the place we live while holding onto the techniques and principles we were taught. Fortune cookies may not be a recipe we learned in Guangzhou, but their spirit - sharing joy, offering luck, and connecting with customers - fits perfectly with Chinese dining values.

Authenticity isn’t frozen in time. It grows with experience and migration. Just as sweet and sour dishes or crispy beef evolved for British tastes, fortune cookies represent another chapter in the global journey of Chinese cuisine.

Why We Choose to Serve Fortune Cookies

We choose to serve fortune cookies because they’ve become a small but joyful part of the Chinese dining experience in the UK. Over the years, customers have come to look forward to that moment at the end of a meal - the sound of the biscuit cracking, the short pause before reading the message, and the shared laughter or thought that follows.

For us, it’s about creating a sense of connection. The messages inside are sometimes humorous, sometimes thoughtful, and always light-hearted. They bring people together around the table, which is exactly what Chinese dining is about. We grew up with traditions centred on sharing - sharing dishes, sharing warmth, and sharing moments - and in many ways, fortune cookies fit that same spirit.

They might not be something we grew up eating in Guangzhou, but they’ve become part of our story here in the UK. They represent how food evolves when it travels - how something new can take root and feel familiar over time.

Fortune Cookies Today: A Cultural Blend That Lasts

Today, fortune cookies are made by machine in factories across America, Europe, and parts of Asia. They’ve become a cultural icon in their own right - printed on greeting cards, featured in films, and even sold as souvenirs. Their popularity shows how food can take on new meanings as it travels and adapts to new places.

We serve them proudly as a sweet reminder of how food connects people across cultures. While they may have started far from China, fortune cookies now belong to the shared experience of enjoying Chinese food around the world - and for us, that makes them special.