Fortune Cookie Factory

The Fortune Cookie Factory in Oakland, California is one of the places that creates this modern invention. Fortune Cookies are considered modern, but there is a legend that says these cookies have existed since the 14th century, albeit in a different form. The legend states the Mongols were ruling China at the time, when Chu Yuan Chang began an uprising. He used Mooncakes to pass along information about the uprising by replacing the yolk inside the cake with a message written on paper. It is said this began the Ming Dynasty.

Whether this legend is true or not, the fortune cookie was invented in San Francisco. San Francisco is home to the original factory. Though there are other places that create the cookie the messages are all written at the same place. Visitors to Oakland can tour the Fortune Cookie Factory. They create about 100,000 of the world's fortune cookies sold in the world. It is possible to see the machine working and even get samples of the fortune cookies made in this factory. It is possible to get a personal message inserted in the cookies too. The tours are offered Monday through Thursday 10am to 3pm.