Which of the following describes chowder?

• A. Chowder is a chunky soup with seafood or vegetables, often with milk or tomatoes.
• B. A clear broth.
• C. A creamy, pureed soup.
• D. A tomato-based soup.

Answer: (A)

Chowder is defined by its chunky, hearty texture, with pieces of seafood or vegetables in a substantial liquid that is typically dairy-rich (milk or cream) or, in some regional versions, tomato-based. This makes it distinct from a clear broth, which is thin and translucent, and from a creamy, pureed soup, which is smooth and lacks identifiable chunks. While some chowders use tomatoes as part of the base, the defining feature is the presence of substantial, chunky ingredients in a thickened, non-clear soup. So describing it as a chunky soup with seafood or vegetables, often with milk or tomatoes, best captures what chowder is.