Chowder is a thick soup, usually made with milk or cream and traditionally containing fish and/or shellfish with vegetables. This dish often comes with crackers or biscuits, which can be added to thicken the soup. The popular ‘New England chowder’ has corn and potatoes added to it.
Chowder originated as a dish onboard of ships and was brought to North America by immigrants from England and France back in the 19th Century.