Chowder is a thick soup or stew made of seafood or corn. It's traditionally made with a base of potatoes, onions, and milk or heavy cream. New England clam chowder is an ever-popular creamy chowder packed with fresh clams, bacon and potatoes. Meanwhile, the non-traditional red version called Manhattan clam chowder is a thin tomato based chowder made without any milk or cream (and chowder gurus will insist this is not a real chowder!). But to each their own...