Japanese Tea Garden - claimed origin of the fortune cookie

The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park is associated with Makoto Hagiwara, who managed the garden in the early 20th century and is credited in several sources with serving a distinct folded cookie that evolved into the modern fortune cookie. The claim that the fortune cookie originated at this site is documented in local histories and museum accounts but is debated by food historians who point to competing origin stories in Southern California. The garden remains a named location in discussions of the cookie’s disputed origins.