The Back Story
Like chop suey, fortune cookies are a uniquely American invention.
Originating in California around the turn of the 20th century, and based
on the recipe for a traditional Japanese cracker, Chinese fortune
cookies are virtually unknown in mainland China.
As early as the
1800’s a cookie very similar to the American fortune cookie was made in
Japan, however these Japanese temple cookies were larger and made with
miso and sesame rather than vanilla and butter. Like their American
counterparts, they too contained random fortunes – only these were
wedged into the bend of the cookie rather than placed inside the cookie
itself. Crispy and delicious, these whimsical cookies are usually served
in Chinese restaurants at the end of a meal.
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