There are two Takoyaki & Highball bars in Sapporo and they can both be found in the Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade. Both these bars are pretty much identical. They can both be identified by their bright red exterior plus they both have outside seating throughout the whole year (including winter). Takoyaki is a fried ball-shaped snack that is filled with chopped octopus (tako), pickled ginger and green onion. The balls are coated with takoyaki sauce (similar to Worcestershire sauce) and mayonnaise. Takoyaki is a delicious snack and the servings hold six takoyaki balls. At Takoyaki & Highball they have many different kinds of toppings they add on to their octopus balls. At these bars they have some unique toppings such as the cod roe with mayonnaise, melted cheese, or fried garlic. These are all equally good!

Each of these tako sets range from around ¥600 to ¥1200 depending on the topping and the complexity. At Takoyaki & Highball they also have other things on the menu besides takoyaki. They have a steak noodle dish, an octopus pizza, and an octopus ahijo dish. So, we have looked at one half of the business. It’s time to delve into the other part of this bar. The name is Takoyaki & Highball and so the drink of choice that accompanies the octopus balls is indeed a highball. A highball being whiskey (the whiskey being Jim Beam in this case) mixed with soda with a lemon slice garnish. It is indeed a refreshing drink and goes well with the food here! They also serve beer and cocktails such as a lemon sour. This is a great place to stop for a drink and people watch.