Chowder is set in the fictional Marzipan City. For the architectural style of the city, examples from Moroccan and Indian architecture were referenced. The inhabitants of Marzipan City, including the show's primary cast, are composed of various strange non-human creatures, ranging from anthropomorphic animals, humans to more abstract and surreal beings including fairies, robots, mammoths, owls, and many more creatures.

The show's humor features puns and meta-references, such as the characters and locations being named after various foods. Many food names are altered, like "grubble gum", "thrice cream" or "blutter". The show also breaks the fourth wall regularly. An example is found in the episode "Gazpacho Stands Up". Chowder, who is learning to write, scribbles on the television screen. Gazpacho erases this, leaving the Cartoon Network screen bug untouched. When Chowder points this out, Gazpacho comments "That one doesn't come off. I've tried."

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