In English, when people refer to food as "so good" rather than "so well," it is because they are describing the taste and sensory experience of the food, not its preparation or cooking process. The use of "good" instead of "well" is related to the distinction between adjectives and adverbs.
"Good" is an adjective, which describes the quality or state of a noun. In this case, it describes the quality of the food, how delicious it tastes, or how enjoyable the eating experience is.
"Well" is an adverb, which typically modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. It describes how an action is performed, how an adjective applies, or the manner in which something is done.
When referring to the food they are currently enjoying, people are expressing their appreciation for its taste and overall pleasantness. Since "good" is used to describe the quality of a noun (in this case, the food), it is the appropriate choice to convey their positive feelings about it. Saying "this is so good" emphasizes the tastiness and enjoyment of the food.
For example:
- "This cake is so good." (Describing the quality of the cake and how delicious it tastes.)
- "This dish is so good." (Describing the quality of the dish and how enjoyable it is to eat.)
On the other hand, using "well" in this context wouldn't be accurate because it doesn't describe the quality of the food itself. Instead, it would imply something about the preparation or cooking process:
- "This cake is baked so well." (Describing the skillful manner in which the cake was baked.)
- "This dish is seasoned so well." (Describing the excellent way in which the dish was seasoned.)
In summary, the choice of "good" over "well" when complimenting food reflects the focus on the food's taste and quality rather than the method of preparation.