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- Every July 20
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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.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #FortuneCookieDay. Post aesthetically pleasing photos of fortune cookies, creative ways to display fortunes, or your favorite Chinese takeout spread.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #FortuneCookieDay. Ask friends to share their funniest or most profound fortunes received.
National Fortune Cookie Day Hero
Makoto Hagiwara
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.
National Fortune Cookie Day FAQs
When is National Fortune Cookie Day?
National Fortune Cookie Day 2026 falls on Monday, July 20. It’s the perfect start to the week to reflect on your future with a sweet treat.
Who invented the fortune cookie?
The exact origin is debated, but many credit Japanese immigrants in California, particularly Makoto Hagiwara of San Francisco’s Japanese Tea Garden, with popularizing the cookie in the early 20th century. He reportedly served cookies containing ‘thank you’ notes, which evolved into the fortunes we know today.
How many fortune cookies are made each year?
Roughly three billion fortune cookies are produced and consumed annually worldwide. The vast majority of these are made in the United States, primarily by companies like Wonton Food Inc., ensuring a steady supply for eager diners.
What kind of messages are inside fortune cookies?
Fortune cookie messages range from traditional wisdom and proverbs to humorous predictions, lucky numbers, and even short, encouraging affirmations. Some include simple Chinese phrases or a snippet of trivia to broaden their appeal.
National Fortune Cookie Day Activities
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!
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.
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
Invented in Japan
According to historical sources, the original fortune cookie was developed in Japan.
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.
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.
Almost four million fortune cookies are created
Every day, nearly four million cookies are produced and each of those biscuits contains its own fortune.
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
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.
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.
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.
Social Media Tips for National Fortune Cookie Day
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