It's actually exponential, so 3 is double of 2

I'll just keep getting the 2x and original. They're more than spicy enough. I did want to try the 3x, but not for twice as much lol

Probably just knowing they're gonna sell fewer of them so they charge more

You can basically make the sauce yourself by adding chili powder and sugar to the flavor packet contents of cheaper ramen. Those three things are the top three ingredients of the buldak sauce, setting aside preservatives and stabilizers.

The ingredients have oleoresin capsicum in it, which is hot pepper extract. That may be expensive.