Created by C.H. Greenblatt for Cartoon Network, Chowder stands out as one of the most visually inventive and uniquely hilarious animated series of the late 2000s. Set in the whimsical, food-obsessed fictional city of Marzipan, the show follows an impulsive, perpetually hungry cat-bear-rabbit hybrid named Chowder as he trains to become a master chef.
Unlike standard cartoon lists that barely scratch the surface or mix up basic facts, this complete character guide dives deep into the main cast, supporting residents, and antagonists of Marzipan City. Whether you're revisiting the show or discovering its surreal comedy for the first time, here is the definitive breakdown of every key character who shaped the series.
The Main Cast
These central figures drive every catering disaster, kitchen explosion, and surreal misadventure in Mung Daal's catering company.
Chowder
Chowder is the titular protagonist of the series—a young, purple, energetic apprentice who is part cat, part bear, and part rabbit. Voiced by Nicky Jones, Chowder's defining traits are his boundless enthusiasm, his bottomless stomach, and his complete lack of impulse control. He lives with Mung Daal and Truffles, viewing them as parental figures. Chowder's appetite knows no bounds; he will eat almost anything, including non-food items, props, and sometimes background scenery. Despite his good intentions, his clumsy nature and tendency to get distracted usually result in catastrophic kitchen failures.
Mung Daal
Mung Daal is an elderly, eccentric chef who runs the catering company where Chowder works. Voiced by Dwight Schultz, Mung fancies himself a culinary genius and a smooth-talking ladies' man, though his massive ego often blinds him to his own mistakes. He has hundreds of years of cooking experience, which he loves to brag about. Despite his pompous exterior, Mung genuinely cares for Chowder and treats him like an adopted son, even if his bizarre lessons and unorthodox training methods create half the problems the duo has to solve.
Schnitzel
Schnitzel is a large, orange, rock-monster creature who works as the head chef and heavy lifter at Mung Daal's catering company. Voiced by John DiMaggio, Schnitzel communicates entirely through grunts, groans, and the word "Rada"—with tone and inflection being the only way other characters understand him. He is the only competent, hard-working employee in the kitchen, constantly forced to clean up the messes created by Mung and Chowder. Schnitzel is frequently exhausted, stressed, and desperate for a vacation.
Truffles Daal
Truffles is Mung Daal's wife and the business manager of the catering company. Voiced by Tara Strong, she is a mushroom-like pixie creature with a terrifying temper and an iron fist. While Mung handles the creative culinary arts, Truffles manages the finances, client relations, and keeps the kitchen in strict order. Whenever Mung or Chowder step out of line, Truffles' voice can amplify to glass-shattering decibels, striking fear into everyone in Marzipan City.
The Supporting Residents
Marzipan City is populated by an eccentric lineup of neighbors, rivals, and friends who frequently interact with the main catering crew.
Panini
Panini is a young pink rabbit-bear-cat hybrid voiced by Liliana Mumy. She is an apprentice at Ms. Endive's rival catering company and is madly, obsessively in love with Chowder. Though Chowder constantly insists that "I'm not your boyfriend!", Panini refuses to listen and plans their future together at every turn. She is generally sweet-tempered until someone threatens her relationship goals or insults her baking.
Ms. Endive
Ms. Endive is Mung Daal's primary culinary rival and Panini's mentor. Voiced by Lelie Carrara-Rudolph, she is a tall, haughty, blue-skinned woman who looks down on Mung Daal's methods. Mung and Endive share a bitter, petty rivalry that often escalates into full-scale culinary wars. Despite their mutual hatred, the two occasionally display a strange, grudging respect for one another.
Kimchi
Kimchi is Chowder's pet, though defining what Kimchi actually is remains impossible. Kimchi is a living, floating cloud of literal gas with eyes, mouth, and a distinct personality. He emits a foul odor that only Chowder seems immune to. Kimchi is Chowder's loyal companion, and much of the running humor involves characters reacting in absolute horror to Kimchi's presence and smell.
Gorgonzola
Gorgonzola is a young, blue, rat-like apprentice who works for Stilton, another rival chef in the city. Voiced by Will Shadley, Gorgonzola is cynical, greedy, and intensely jealous of Chowder. He frequently tries to cheat, steal recipes, or mock Chowder's lower social standing. Despite his tough exterior, he shares a secret soft spot for general childish antics.
Antagonists and Recurring Figures
Ceviche
Ceviche is a green, octopus-like apprentice who works for Paté. Voiced byachel Crane, he is calm, polite, and exceptionally talented at dancing. Unlike Gorgonzola, Ceviche gets along well with Chowder, though his calm demeanor often contrasts sharply with Chowder's hyperactive chaos.
Paté
Paté is Ceviche's mentor, a muscular man with a booming voice and a dramatic flair. He serves as a secondary chef in Marzipan City and is often dragged into the petty arguments between Mung Daal and Ms. Endive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What animal species is Chowder?
Chowder isn't based on a single real animal. Creator C.H. Greenblatt designed him as an amalgamation of a cat, a bear, and a rabbit, giving him a distinct, squishy silhouette that fits right into the show's surreal aesthetic.
Why does Schnitzel only say "Rada"?
Schnitzel's vocabulary is limited to variations of the word "Rada" because it serves as a running gag about overworked employees who have given up on trying to reason with unreasonable bosses. Only Mung and Chowder can understand what specific "Rada" means in context.
Where can I watch Chowder today?
The complete series is available for digital purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and streams periodically on subscription services like Max, depending on regional licensing agreements.
Did Chowder ever get a proper series finale?
Yes, the series concluded with a special feature-length episode titled "Chowder Grows Up", which fast-forwards into the future to show Chowder taking over Mung's catering business, marrying Panini, and mentoring his own apprentice.
