National Fortune Cookie Day — July 20, 2027

Updated on Jun 11, 2026 in Special Interest by Haroon Mohsin

National Fortune Cookie Day
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National Fortune Cookie Day on July 20 invites everyone to crack open these iconic sweet treats. A staple of Chinese takeout, each crisp biscuit holds a paper message of wisdom or whimsy. Celebrate by sharing fortunes, baking your own, or ordering from your favorite local spot!

Want to sponsor National Fortune Cookie Day? Learn how

Expected National Fortune Cookie Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that National Fortune Cookie Day often brings sweet deals from Asian restaurants and dessert shops. Look for specials from major chains like P.F. Chang’s, which might offer free fortune cookies with entrees, or local Chinese restaurants. Specialty bakeries like Great American Cookies or Insomnia Cookies could feature fortune cookie-inspired treats. Online retailers like Goldbelly might highlight gourmet fortune cookie assortments. Even grocery stores such as H-E-B or Wegmans could have promotions on packaged fortune cookies. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July 20 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Fortune Cookie Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #FortuneCookieDay. Share videos of cracking open cookies, reacting to fortunes, or DIY fortune cookie recipes.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #FortuneCookieDay. Post aesthetically pleasing photos of fortune cookies, creative ways to display fortunes, or your favorite Chinese takeout spread.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #FortuneCookieDay. Ask friends to share their funniest or most profound fortunes received.

Social Media Tips for National Fortune Cookie Day

Individuals

Order Chinese takeout and make sure to get extra fortune cookies. Share the experience with family and friends, reading fortunes aloud for fun predictions.

Creators

Create a 'fortune cookie challenge' video where you react to a series of fortunes. Or, demonstrate how to make homemade fortune cookies with unique messages inside.

Brands

Restaurants can offer a free fortune cookie with every order or a 'lucky' discount based on a fortune. Bakeries can create fortune cookie-flavored desserts or giant fortune cookies.

Top Brands for National Fortune Cookie Day

  1. P.F. Chang's

    Founded in 1993 in Scottsdale, Arizona, P.F. Chang's is a popular American-based restaurant chain serving Asian cuisine. They are well-known for their modern approach to classic dishes and always include fortune cookies with their takeout orders.

  2. Panda Express

    Established in 1983 in Glendale, California, Panda Express is the largest Asian fast-casual restaurant chain in the United States. They are a go-to for many Americans seeking quick, flavorful Chinese-American dishes, always accompanied by a fortune cookie.

  3. Wonton Food Inc.

    Founded in 1973 in Brooklyn, New York, Wonton Food Inc. is one of the largest manufacturers of fortune cookies in the world, producing billions annually. They supply fortune cookies to countless Chinese restaurants across the U.S. and beyond.

  4. Keebler

    Founded in 1853, Keebler is a renowned American cookie and cracker manufacturer. While not primarily known for fortune cookies, their diverse range of baked goods makes them a relevant brand in the broader cookie market, occasionally offering unique or themed cookie products.

  5. Trader Joe's

    Founded in 1967 in Pasadena, California, Trader Joe's is a popular grocery chain known for its unique and affordable specialty items. They often carry a variety of international snacks and treats, including packaged fortune cookies and related Asian-inspired foods.

  6. Great American Cookies

    Established in 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia, Great American Cookies is a national chain specializing in fresh-baked cookies and cookie cakes. While not traditional fortune cookies, their focus on fun, custom cookies makes them a relevant brand for creative holiday treats.

  7. Open Fortune

    Open Fortune is an innovative company that transforms fortune cookies into a unique advertising platform, delivering branded messages and coupons instead of traditional fortunes. This modern twist connects brands with consumers in a memorable way.

National Fortune Cookie Day Hero

Makoto Hagiwara

Makoto Hagiwara, a Japanese immigrant and owner of the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, is often credited with popularizing the fortune cookie in the United States around the turn of the 20th century. He reportedly served cookies containing 'thank you' notes, which evolved into the fortunes we know today, to visitors of his garden. His contribution helped embed the fortune cookie into American culinary culture.

History of National Fortune Cookie Day

Many Americans who dine at Chinese-themed restaurants in the United States receive a fortune cookie after their meal, which makes them identify this practice with Chinese culture. However, the origins of this delectable treat may be traced back to Kyoto, Japan in the 19th century before finding its way to American society in the 20th century.

Some Japanese candy shops began creating small crackers folded into shapes that allowed a message to be tucked inside the bend as early as the 1870s —not into the hollow area. These original crackers would have been darker in color and made with miso and sesame seeds, giving them a less sweet flavor than today’s fortune cookies.

When Japanese immigrants came to California and Hawaii in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was thought that the fortune cookies of today’s American-Chinese restaurants were based on this notion.

Today, the majority of fortune cookies are consumed in the United States. “Wonton Food” in New York and “Yang’s Fortunes” in California are the major producers, with “Wonton Food” alone producing over four million each day. Fortune biscuits are prepared in the shape of a round disk. When they are still warm from the oven, a fortune is written on one side of the cookie, which is then folded over and squeezed together. The fortunes are little pieces of paper with advice or aphorisms written on them. They are frequently printed with lucky numbers or Chinese words. “Wanton Food” prints over 15,000 distinct fortunes. Fortune cookies are produced with simple components like such as flour, sesame seed oil, butter, vanilla, and sugar and have a bland, mild flavor. The promise of a fortune, however, has endeared these cookies to millions and has kept them tearing them open today and throughout the year.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Fortune Cookie Day

Local Chinese restaurants and Asian eateries can celebrate National Fortune Cookie Day by offering a complimentary fortune cookie with every order, or running a special where customers receive an extra fortune cookie for sharing their favorite fortune on social media. Bakeries could create unique fortune cookie-inspired desserts, like fortune cookie cupcakes or ice cream flavors. Even non-food businesses can get involved by including a fortune cookie with purchases or creating a ‘fortune of the day’ display to engage customers.

When is National Fortune Cookie Day?

In 2027, National Fortune Cookie Day is observed on Tuesday, July 20. This mid-week celebration offers a delightful break to enjoy a moment of edible introspection.

Who invented the fortune cookie?

While often associated with Chinese cuisine, fortune cookies likely originated in Japan, where similar ‘tsujiura senbei’ crackers with fortunes existed. They became widely adopted by Chinese restaurants in the U.S. as a post-meal treat, further cementing their place in American culture.

How many fortune cookies are made each year?

With an estimated three billion fortune cookies produced each year, the industry is a significant part of the snack market. This massive production ensures that nearly every Chinese takeout meal can end with a moment of delightful anticipation and a hidden message.

What kind of messages are inside fortune cookies?

The messages inside fortune cookies are typically short, optimistic, and often vague, allowing for broad interpretation. Modern fortunes might also include lucky lottery numbers or QR codes for digital content, adding a contemporary twist to the classic tradition and engaging a new generation.

National Fortune Cookie Day Activities

  1. Try making your fortune Cookie

    Making fortune cookies at home may be enjoyable not only for people who appreciate baking but also for those who enjoy calligraphy and creating unique messages for friends and family! Try your hand at making cookies today!

  2. Go to Chinese restaurant

    The most apparent way to commemorate the day is to treat yourself to a nice Chinese lunch, with a platter of fortune cookies as the closing dish. Of course, eating at American-Chinese restaurants is not a custom that originated in China — but it is a tradition nevertheless.

  3. Fortune cookie party with friends

    Why not buy some fortune cookies as a fun party favor for coworkers or friends? Or, for a refreshing change of pace, make a new neighbor a friend by showing up at their door with a basket full of fortune cookies.

5 Fun Facts About Fortune Cookies

  1. Invented in Japan

    According to historical sources, the original fortune cookie was developed in Japan.

  2. Constructed differently from the original

    As you might assume, the first fortune cookie was not like the ones we see today, it was originally produced using sesame oil, and it was browner and larger than the present version.

  3. Only four ingredients

    That the key four components are flour, sugar, vanilla extract, and oil is no surprise, given how delicious the cookie itself is.

  4. Almost four million fortune cookies are created

    Every day, nearly four million cookies are produced and each of those biscuits contains its own fortune.

  5. 15,000 unique fortune cookies

    Brooklyn-based Wonton Food is the world's largest producer of fortune cookies and messages had 15,000 fortunes.

Why We Love National Fortune Cookie Day

  1. Fortune cookies can be made with family

    What better way to bond than to talk as the aroma of freshly baked fortune cookies wafts through the air? Recruit some friends or family to assist you in making your cookies, and then sit back and enjoy all of the laughing and discussion that ensues.

  2. Exchanging fortune cookies brings people together

    Nothing draws us closer together than baked food. Whether you baked the fortune cookies yourself or not, it's wonderful to see the person you pass them off to smile.

  3. We can exchange creative messages

    These enticing pastries generally contain an appropriately vague clairvoyant message within, which usually promises the receiver good health, luck, or riches. It's always wonderful to be assured of good things to come.

National Fortune Cookie Day dates

Year Date Day
2027 July 20 Tuesday
2028 July 20 Thursday
2029 July 20 Friday
2030 July 20 Saturday
2031 July 20 Sunday
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