The viscosity of the dough is a key point in making takoyaki; if it is too thick, takoyaki will taste like dango (sweet rice dumpling); on the other hand, if it is too thin, moisture will evaporate from the dough while it is heated and takoyaki will shrink.
この溶き具合はたこ焼きの要で、濃すぎると団子のような焼き上がりになり、薄すぎると焼いているうちに水分が逃げて縮んでしまう。