The Fortune Cookie Trials
Fortune cookies are not a Chinese invention.
They are American, born in California.
There is debate about the fortune cookies’ city of origin and who invented them, whether it’s Chinese-American, Japanese American or 14th Century revolutionists.
There are 2 different stories detailing the mystery of the fortune cookie.
The Fortune Cookie Stories
The first story features Chinese immigrant David Jung, founder of the Hong Kong Noodle Company in Los Angeles.
Jung claims he invented the fortune cookie in 1918.
Homeless wandered around Jung’s restaurant.
Concerned about their well being, he created cookies containing strips of paper with Bible scriptures, and handed them out for free in the streets.
However, there is no documentation proving Jung developed this idea.
The second story is based around Japanese immigrant Makoto Hagiwara, who invented the cookie in San Francisco.
Hagiwara designed the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park and was an avid park gardener until an anti-Japanese mayor fired him from his job.
In 1914, a new mayor reinstated Hagiwara.
To show his appreciation, Hagiwara made cookies with thank you notes inside.
Hagiwara regularly served his cookies at the Tea Garden.
In 1915, they were displayed at San-Fransisco’s world fair.
The San Francisco Fortune Cookie Trials
In 1983, a trial in San Francisco’s City Hall determined the fortune cookie’s true inventor.
The packed court had full media attention for a battle between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and Japan and China.
The most dramatic point in the trial came when Sally Osaki, a member of the San Francisco Japanese Contingent, revealed a set of round black iron grills that Hagiwara used to produce fortune cookies.
Neither side had any physical evidence outside of these grills.
Personal stories and testimonies occupied the rest of the trial.
San Francisco had home-court advantage and it came as no surprise when the judge ruled in favour of Hagiwara, much to the delight of locals and the chagrin of Los Angeles.
Are Fortune Cookies Ancient?
There are alternate theories about the fortune cookie’s origin, which link it to the 13th and 14th century.
In these times, revolutionaries shared notes via mooncakes.
Fortune cookies became popular in Chinese restaurants after World War 2, because Americans expected some form of dessert after their meal.
Since 1988, companies including Motorola, Apple, FedEX, and Google use fortune cookies as a valuable form of direct marketing.
