For optical routing, a processor detects an optical data packet communicated over at least one optical subcarrier of a plurality of optical subcarriers. The processor further detects each of the plurality of optical subcarriers over which the optical data packet is carried. The processor generates a label including one or more asserted optical subcarrier values corresponding to each of the plurality of optical subcarriers over which the optical data packet is carried. In addition, the processor routes the optical data packet from the optical switch based on a routing action associated with the label.