I feel the Tako pachi($2.30 one) standard going down, too soft
already, like eating thick starch.
Few years ago I tried the best takoyaki in Daimaru, ground floor,
the chief will apply some seaweed powder on the top to increase the
flavour, bigger octopus, 8 balls perbox(a bit expensive, but worth
for money), very similiar to the one I tried in Japan, but they
closed shop already 
Now dun know where to find the quality Tako yaki.