Behind the Fortune Cookie Factory

By Jennifer J. Chow

February 15, 2024
Jennifer Chow discusses her visit to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory and how it inspired her to mix the aspects of real-life baking to Felicity Jin, the protagonist of her upcoming book Ill-Fated Fortune—in bookstores everywhere on February 20th.

I’ve always loved a good road trip, and what better reason for an outing than book research? As a kid, one of my favorite class field trips involved going to San Francisco and visiting the fortune cookie factory there. When I started writing the Magical Fortune Cookie series, I knew it was time for a return visit. 

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory is located in San Francisco’s historic Chinatown and tucked inside Ross Alley. The place is family-run and celebrated its sixtieth anniversary in 2022. Over the years, it’s also been recognized as an integral part of the city: “Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company Day” happened on June 8, 2018 in San Francisco, and the factory was named a “San Francisco Legendary Business” in 2016. 

The modern-day fortune cookie’s sweet flavor is truly a California invention. In China, people don’t eat fortune cookies for dessert. Fun fact: One fortune cookie factory in China decided to advertise their offerings as “authentic American fortune cookies.”

What I love about Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory’s cookies is that they’re handmade. That’s the way my main character, Felicity Jin, makes her treats. And while the San Francisco cookies use a special family recipe, I don’t think they add a touch of magic to the mix like Felicity. I hope my factory research makes Ill-Fated Fortune both more authentic and delicious for the reader. 

Get Jennifer Chow’s upcoming book here!

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Jennifer J. Chow

Jennifer J. Chow writes cozies with heart, humor, and heritage. She is the twice-nominated Lefty Award author of the Sassy Cat Mysteries. The first in the Sassy Cat series, Mimi Lee Gets A Clue, was selected as an OverDrive Recommended Read, a PopSugar Best Summer Beach Read, and one of BuzzFeed’s Top 5 Books by AAPI authors. Her new series is the L.A. Night Market Mysteries, and the first book is Death by Bubble Tea. She currently serves as Vice President on the national board of Sisters in Crime, blogs at www.chicksonthecase.com, and participates in Crime Writers of Color.
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