China’s northern region is home to the cuisines of Shandong, Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and the Northeast. The food of this region is intriguing because it is heavily influenced by the Muslims, Mongolians, Manchurians, etc.  The reason why this place is so heavily influenced is because of the geography of the area. The land is less hilly than other areas of China and as a result, this area was more “susceptible to foreign intrusions” (Phillips, pg. 3). After invasions, some invading groups would decide to settle down in Northern China, immerse themselves into the local culture, and bring their own style of cooking. In addition to invasions, the Silk Road also ran through this area. Middle Eastern traders often brought Mediterranean spices and foodstuffs, which in turn influenced and changed local food culture.