The arrival of Islam within South Asia influenced the local cuisine to a great degree as Muslims are forbidden to eat pork or consume alcohol along with the other enforced Islamic dietary laws.
Pakistanis focus on other areas of food such as beef, lamb, chicken, fish, lentils and vegetables as well as traditional fruit and dairy.
The influence of Central Asian, North Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine in Pakistani food is ubiquitous.
Much of the food of Lahore is influenced by the local Punjabi and Mughlai cuisine.
Along with traditional local food, Chinese, western and foreign foods are popular throughout the city and have often been fused with local recipes to create refined tastes; Pakistani Chinese food is largely available.