Clam chowder is the most well-known type of chowder, or thick cross between a soup and a stew that usually contains potatoes. It is a chunky soup recipe and can be made New England style, with milk or cream or Manhattan style and made with a base of tomatoes. A typical accompaniment to clam chowder is oyster crackers, which are small crackers in the shape of miniature oysters. Because it so hearty, clam chowder is a meal in a bowl and requires no additional accompaniment.