Chowder Characters: A Guide to the Animated Series Everyone Loves

Popular Chowder characters are Chowder, Mung Daal, Schnitzel, Truffles, Gazpacho, Panini, Pate, Endive, Stilton, Gorgonzola, and Ceviche.

In contrast to many contemporary cartoons, “Chowder” dazzled with its innovative approach, filled with distinctive characters and witty humor. If you watched it during childhood, you’ll likely recall some of its unforgettable characters and memorable episodes. One of the show’s defining features was its unique animation style, setting it apart from other Cartoon Network offerings and cementing its distinctive place in viewers’ hearts.

About the Chowder Cartoon

Chowder ran on Cartoon Network from November 2, 2007 to August 7, 2010, created by C. H. Greenblatt with writers including Kevin Kramer and William Reiss. The animation pops with vivid, lively colors, and while the character designs might seem unconventional at first, the whole show is about embracing that uniqueness. The music is catchy, and the script is laced with sharp wit and humor.

Chowder

As the name suggests, Chowder is the main character of the series and an apprentice at the Mung Daal Catering Company. He’s learning to become a chef under Mung Daal, which makes him friends with everyone at the company. Physically, Chowder is a fusion of several animals, with parts of a cat, a bear, and a rabbit, though he reads more like a cat than anything else. This character’s primary color is purple: his light skin and his clothes are all purple. Chowder is a child, and his innocence and sweetness make that obvious, but he isn’t goofy or dumb. He can be a bit impulsive, yet he’s friendly to everyone in the catering company.

Shnitzel

Although he doesn’t say much, Shnitzel is one of the most iconic Chowder characters, and plenty of fans love him even more than Chowder himself. Shnitzel is a rock monster working at the catering company, which means he’s constantly dealing with Chowder’s antics and whatever Mung and his wife throw at him, and on top of that he’s underpaid. Among all the Chowder characters, Shnitzel reacts the most like an actual person would to everyone else’s chaos. He’s gray, has a small body and a tall head, is a master chef, and always wears a white apron. He hates cleaning up after the others, and you can read it in his eyebags and grumpy face, yet he still loves Mung Daal, Chowder, and Mung’s wife because of how much time they spend together.

Panini

Panini is the apprentice of Mung Daal’s rival, Ms. Endive, though she’s most famous for having a crush on Chowder and flirting with him any chance she gets. Chowder only sees her as a friend and a rival. The two grew closer during the Apprentice Games, where their masters forced them to compete to see who was best. Even though Chowder doesn’t want a romance, he does end up marrying Panini at the show’s end, when he’s older and takes over the catering company. Like Chowder, Panini is a cat-bear-rabbit, but she looks more like a rabbit; she’s all pink, has fuchsia eyes, and only wears yellow and green. She became popular in the episode “Chowder’s Girlfriend” and was a constant presence afterward.

Mung Daal

Mung Daal owns the catering business. He’s Chowder’s master but treats him like a son, since he and his wife, Truffles Daal, don’t have a child. He’s friendly and kind to everyone at the company and to his clients, though he snaps when his patience runs out. He’s prideful about his cooking and wants to make sure Chowder learns everything needed to run the company someday, and he turns a little crazy (and reckless) if anyone questions his skills. Happily married as he is, he also takes pride in being a “Ladies’ Man,” forever impressing other women with his cooking and humor, and he’s even been known to do squats to show off. As for his look, he’s all blue with a white mustache, a large nose, and prominent eyebrows, and you rarely see him out of his master-chef uniform.

Truffles Daal

Truffles Daal is the show’s mushroom pixie and Mung Daal’s wife, and she works as the catering company’s cashier. She gets bossy whenever she addresses the workers, or her husband, and she’s mean and frightening enough that Chowder flees from her in more than one episode. Truffles tends to see everyone else’s mistakes before her own, and she’s a confident woman who knows exactly what she needs to do to succeed. That said, she’s a bit insecure about her weight, something the series returns to more than once. It’s actually lovely how the show handles the feeling of being unhappy with your body through Truffles, and it can help young viewers going through the same thing feel a little better. She’s also fiercely competitive, even more than Chowder or her husband. She’s short, has wings, purple hair, green eyes, and always wears a green dress.

Ms. Endive

Ms. Endive is a master chef, Mung’s rival, the series’ main antagonist, and Panini’s master. Unlike Mung, she’s arrogant, self-centered, and snobby; she doesn’t just believe she’s an excellent chef, she’s certain she’s better than Mung Daal. She works in Marzipan City and is a perfectionist who insists her dishes are always the highest quality possible. Despite the front, she’s desperate to get married and will throw herself at anyone who flirts with her for even a minute, which is why other characters keep dumping or rejecting her. In the end, though, she marries Schnitzel and lives happily with him. Endive has a long, rectangular nose, is larger than most other characters, has green hair and orange skin, and often wears a red dress.

Ceviche

Ceviche is friends with almost everyone, and other characters are usually friendly right back. He’s Panini’s best friend and becomes the master of a dance school by the series finale. Like Chowder, Ceviche is sensitive and about as kind as it gets, proving it by giving food to the poor, helping old ladies, and doing whatever he can for others. He’s short and yellow-colored, with purple hair and a few horns, and he often advises Chowder on how to become a better chef.

Gorgonzola

Gorgonzola is a smaller, cheese-themed character who serves as a foil to Chowder’s energetic, impulsive nature, contrasting the main character’s upbeat personality. Blue-toned, wise, and more than a little grumpy, he can be a real stick-in-the-mud, but he’s also a skilled, respected presence valued for his culinary knowledge. The show sometimes plays him as Chowder’s rival and sometimes leans on his guidance, but either way his dry, world-weary attitude makes him a memorable part of the cast.

Kimchi

Meet Kimchi, the flatulent stink cloud who first debuted in “The Froggy Apple Crumple Thumpkin.” Despite his potent odor, Kimchi is far more than just a fart: he’s a lovable companion to Chowder, who has grown to love him exactly as he is. As Chowder’s closest friend and confidant, Kimchi is always at his side, ready to offer support and encouragement. No one else wants to get too close because of the smell, but Chowder is so used to it that he loves him all the same. Whether they’re playing games, going on adventures, or just hanging out, Chowder and Kimchi are best friends. Voiced by the show’s creator, C. H. Greenblatt, Kimchi is a character you can’t help but love, aroma and all.

Mr. Fugu

Say hello to Mr. Fugu, the quirky red balloon who loves to indulge in enormous meals. As Mung’s most frequent and valued customer, he plays a crucial role in the world of Chowder, often causing chaos with his giant appetite. With his unusual shape, his wig, and his insatiable hunger, Mr. Fugu leaves an impression. He’s also a master of transformation: his hunger is never-ending, and with a single foul-smelling burst he can instantly return to full size and start munching all over again. Whether he’s being served by his loyal valet Foie Gras or causing trouble in the kitchen, Mr. Fugu is always entertaining. If you want a quirky character who’s always up for a good meal, look no further.

Stilton

Stilton is a recurring character in Chowder, a wealthy and powerful cheese merchant usually depicted as greedy, miserly, and selfish. For all his money, he’s also an unscrupulous, dishonest businessman. The show frames him as a rival to Chowder, always trying to outdo him one way or another, whether by stealing Mung Daal’s secret recipes or outbidding Chowder at an auction. Stilton will stop at nothing to get what he wants, but for all his villainy he’s genuinely funny, serving as a foil for Chowder and the other main characters.

Pâté

Pâté is the musical sensation of “Chowder,” making an unforgettable debut in the episode “Chowder’s Girlfriend” by serenading Panini with the song “I’m Not Your Boyfriend!” In “The Apprentice Games,” he and his protégé Ceviche join the competition, not for the awards but simply for the joy of the game. When they witness the other contestants driven by greed and cruelty, Pâté stands up to remind everyone what the games are really about: having fun. He and Ceviche proudly toss their medals and make a grand exit through a sky-bound portal, leaving a lasting impression on everyone in the arena.

Kiwi

Meet Kiwi, the quirky stop-motion monster who provides hilarious commentary on the events of Chowder. Kiwi pops up during cutaways, offering unique and entertaining perspectives on scenes and characters. With his signature voice by show creator C. H. Greenblatt, Kiwi quickly became a fan favorite after debuting in “Burple Nurples,” adding an extra layer of fun (and unexpected laughter) to the world of Chowder.

Chestnut

Chestnut is a devious, blue-haired creature with a distinctive beard, horns, and striking purple shoes. He may be small compared to the residents of Marzipan City, but he more than makes up for it with his mischievous personality. With his quirky square-circle-shaped body, Chestnut brings a unique flair to “Chowder” as one of the series’ villains, proving again and again that good things come in small packages.

Reuben

Reuben is a charming, pig-like character with a calm demeanor and a cunning streak. Across six appearances in the series he quickly made a name for himself as a manipulative force to be reckoned with, debuting in a major way as the cooking instructor in the episode “Certification Class.” Despite his tranquil exterior, Reuben’s cunning makes him formidable, and his soothing way of speaking makes him an expert at getting exactly what he wants.

Chowder Cast: Main Characters and Voice Actors

Where to Watch Chowder

Want to revisit the whimsical world of Marzipan City? “Chowder” is available to stream on platforms like HBO Max and Hulu, and you can also rent or buy episodes on Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, and iTunes. It’s an easy way to bring a little magic and fun into your day.

• Hulu
• Google Play
• Apple TV

Chowder Characters: Good to Evil

Why Chowder Was Cancelled

Cartoon Network cancelled Chowder in August 2009, deciding the show no longer fit their new target demographic of older boys; they leaned instead toward programming like the live-action Destroy, Build, Destroy. The final episodes aired the following year, in August 2010. Interestingly, creator C. H. Greenblatt later wrote on his blog that he felt surprisingly relieved by the cancellation: with only post-production left, his schedule finally opened up after a long stretch, and he described feeling more creatively inspired than he had in ages, crediting the show with opening up a number of new opportunities.

One last thing worth knowing: Chowder is famous for breaking the fourth wall, with characters openly acknowledging the audience or the fact that they’re in a cartoon, and a lot of the show’s surreal, food-obsessed humor came straight from Greenblatt’s own love of cooking and the people he met working in animation. That personal touch is a big part of why Chowder still wins over fans years after its original run. Who’s your favorite Chowder character? Let me know in the comments.