Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory and Chinatown in San Francisco, California

San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest in North America and largest outside of Asia. Its origins began in 1848 with the first few immigrants and a long history of gold mines, railway tracks, exclusion acts, and more, so began this community that is rooted in its history while looking towards the new. There are the requisite restaurants, miscellaneous stores, bubble tea shops, and more. The community is quite active, celebrating events like the New Year, hosting festivals and offering activities on lion dancing and crafts.

While Fortune Cookies are not actually Chinese, it’s become so immersed with American Chinese food that a visit to the factory was a must. The space itself is nestled in a dim alleyway and there were three large pieces of machinery that cook the thin cookies. It’s all hand folded and some surprising flavors were green tea, strawberry and chocolate and the prices were very fair.

It’s become an important part of my personal journey to visit Chinatowns and learn more about the history of my community. So glad to have had a meal here, conversed with native San Franciscans (so friendly!) who insist Chinatown is the same everywhere. I wholeheartedly disagree and think that the original might be the best I’ve experienced.