Actress Son Ye-jin, 44, recently revealed the healthy culinary secret she shares with her husband, actor Hyun Bin, 44, when managing their weight.
Appearing on the JTBC variety show Please Take Care of My Refrigerator on Sept. 13, Son opened up her fridge and shared her unique recipe for inari sushi (fried tofu rice balls). “For our son, I make it with rice, but when Hyun Bin and I are dieting, I use tofu instead,” Son explained, adding that draining the tofu and mixing in sliced burdock root gives the dish a satisfyingly crunchy texture.
The A-list couple married in 2022 and welcomed their son in November of that year. Remaining actively in the spotlight, Son is set to meet global viewers in the Netflix series Scandal, premiering Sept. 18. Here is a closer look at the nutritional science behind the couple’s diet staple.
Replacing Rice with Tofu: Lower Carbs, Higher Protein
Swapping white rice for tofu inside inari sushi significantly reduces carbohydrate intake while elevating protein levels. According to food nutrition data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, 100 grams of cooked white rice contains roughly 166 calories, 37.3 grams of carbohydrates, and 3.4 grams of protein. In contrast, tofu provides far fewer carbohydrates and a higher concentration of protein per serving, helping lower total daily calorie intake.
Protein takes longer to digest, helping sustain satiety and preventing muscle loss during caloric restriction—a key benefit for adults in their 40s as natural muscle mass begins to decline. Tofu also supplies calcium, unsaturated fatty acids, and soy isoflavones, which support bone density and cardiovascular health. However, because commercial inari (fried tofu pouches) is often packed in a sweet, salty liquid, health experts advise lightly squeezing out the seasoning juice to minimize unnecessary fat, sugars, and sodium.
Burdock Root Adds Fiber and Promotes Slower Eating
Adding burdock root further enhances both the dish’s nutrition and texture. Containing approximately 3.3 grams of dietary fiber per 100 grams, burdock root slows digestion, promotes satiety, and supports healthy bowel regularity.
Its firm, crunchy texture also encourages thorough chewing, which naturally slows eating speed and helps you feel satisfied with smaller portions. Pairing fiber-dense vegetables like burdock root, carrots, cucumbers, or mushrooms with plant protein creates a balanced, low-glycemic meal option ideal for long-term weight management.
