Gentian is very bitter...and great for digestion. The Metagest formula is quite good...as long as you need the extra HCL. If you have any burning or stomach discomfort, you may have enough or too much stomach acid and will need to use a formula that doesn't contain it. Pepsin is a digestive enzyme...there are several. No fat in any of them...
If the Metagest doesn't work for you there are several herbal bitters formulas available at health food stores...and I believe there is a recipe for them...maybe on the Recipe forum. I don't know what is in the Chinese bitters...probably bitter herbs, huh?!